Niamh RIPPIN: Bright for Britain
WHEN Niamh Rippin’s English par- ents decided to name her the Irish word for “bright,” they sensed
enlightenment. “My parents chose the name
as it was unusual, but they thought it was a
strong name and they say it suits me,” Rippin says.
Rippin is also living up to her name on the
British gymnastics team, which has quickly
come to rely on her solid performances. At
the 2010 European championships in Birmingham, Rippin helped the British win a his-torical-best team silver medal. She also tied
for sixth place on floor exercise.
“I felt I had no pressure, as it was my first
major senior international and I didn’t have
anything to defend,” says Rippin, who
turned 16 on March 30. “I just went hoping
to enjoy the experience and tried my best.”
Rippin’s best was ample enough contribu-
tion to the British scoring drive that she says
was a communal effort. “As a team we
helped each other through,” Rippin says. “I
know they definitely helped me along with all
the hard work in training. We grew in confi-
dence as the competition progressed, which
helped with our performances.”
Born in Nottingham, Rippin lives in
Southwell and trains at Notts Gymnastics
Club. She is coached by Claire Starkey on all
four events, but Ian Kime also coaches her,
and British national team coaches Colin Still
and Corina Morason assist.
“Beth
[Tweddle] has
achieved so
much…. This
has taught me
that things are
possible no
matter how
impossible they
first seem.”
