Team GB introduces... Nile Wilson

Gymnast Nile Wilson won two gold medals (one in the team event and one on the horizontal bar) at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. A year later, Nile then secured a silver medal in the team competition at the Gymnastics World Championships. As a junior, Nile was the British rings and high bar champion in 2012 as well as being named UK School Games Champion in the same year. 

Nile will hopefully be representing Team GB in this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio. Ahead of the Games, the gymnast tells us how he first got into the sport, how he’s preparing for Rio and what his hopes for the Games are.

HOW DID YOU FIRST GET STARTED IN COMPETITIVE SPORT?

Even from a young age I've always loved the competitive aspect to sport. I've done numerous different sports since the age of 4 years old including football, cricket and gymnastics.

WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR RIO?

Becoming an Olympian has been one of my life long goals. My ambitions for Rio (if I do get selected) are to perform for my country and perform to my greatest potential.

DO YOU HAVE A BIG SUPPORT NETWORK?

My family have been on this journey from the start and I wouldn’t be where I am right now without them. Coaches, friends and medical teams all play a huge role in helping me to achieve my goals and dreams too. I can’t thank them enough.

WHAT DOES YOUR PRE RIO 2016 TRAINING PLAN LOOK LIKE? WHAT TYPE OF TRAINING ARE YOU DOING AND HOW INTENSE IS IT?

My training is very intense, just like any other week of the year. I train six days a week (up to 30+ hours), which is mostly twice a day. The focus is being physically and mentally ready to perform the best routines possible on each set of apparatus. We have to be prepared!

WHAT DOES YOUR MEAL PLAN LOOK LIKE AT THE MOMENT?

Nutrition is very important as a high-level gymnast. For strength and power, I have a diet of three meals a day plus healthy snacks, all filled with nutrients. My protein intake is high, which helps me with recovery as well as building muscle strength.

WHO IS YOUR OLYMPIC ROLE MODEL AND WHY?

My most vivid Olympic memory is watching a Russian gymnast called Alexi Nemov back in 2004 as a young boy. He did the most incredible Hbar routine with five release and catch moves, most connected and then an amazing dismount. I remember thinking I really fancy a bit of that. Ever since then Nemov has been a massive role model for me.

DISCOVER SOME OF TEAM GB'S PRE-RIO TRAINING PLANS, INCLUDING PHILIP HINDES, JAZZ CARLIN AND MAX WHITLOCK.