As Britain’s women’s gymnastics team caught their breath after a delirious team final at the world championships in Liverpool ended in their greatest team performance, a silver medal, they explained exactly what it felt like to deal with the pressure of the growing expectations on them.
A year ago, when they won a historic team bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics – a first team medal since 1928 – their success was a surprise to all. But this time they qualified in second place. There were no doubts about what they were capable of. “It gives us confidence but then it also gives us pressure because you’re like: ‘Whoa, we know we can get there but … whoa …’” said 18-year-old Ondine Achampong, her face a picture of fear, as her teammates laughed.
