Sister act helped Whitehead get to Games

After a tough four years, gymnast Emily Whitehead will compete again at the Commonwealth Games. (AAP)

Whatever Haylee Whitehead does in her own gymnastics career, she can claim some credit for her older sister's impressive achievements.

Artistic gymnast Emily Whitehead will compete at her second Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after a brutal four years during which, in her words, "there have been a lot more downs than ups".