SHOOTING STARS Sisters Romaeo SHOOTING STARS Sisters Romaeo
Sibling Revelry
Venus
we’re better!” —John Crumlish
London Olympics. “In gymnas-
tics it’s all about hard work.”
Venus says she and Angel
face typical sibling rivalry, but
their shared passion for gymnas-
tics makes their relationship even
more unique and supportive.
need anything,” Angel says. “I ask her a lot
about the more powerful pieces like bars
and vault, where she is so good, and she
helps me out. It’s a bit difficult sometimes as
we both want the medals! We are just like
normal sisters though, really, and mum is in
charge and keeps us happy.”
“Like all sisters we have times when we
argue, but our mum is there to sort us
out, and in the end we have so much in
common that we are very close,” says
Venus, whose favorite events are vault
and uneven bars. “Sometimes we will be
out there competing for the
same goals, but that’s just
part of the sport.”
Although their boxing brothers do not
offer much training advice to Venus and
Angel, the girls take the occasional good-
natured bickering in stride. “The sports are
so different and they don’t really take much
notice of what were doing,” Angel says.
“Sometimes we get a bit teased but I know
ROWENA HUMPHREY (ANGEL); STILL SPORT (VENUS)
The sisters train under
coach Tracey Skirton at
the Welsh National
Sports Centre, but they
admit they are not so
similar in personality and
gymnastics style.
“Maybe I’m a bit more
relaxed, and in terms of gymnastics
I’m the more powerful gymnast,
while Angel is more elegant and
dancey,” Venus says.
Angel agrees with her older sister.
“Venus is definitely more laid back
and I just go for it more!” Angel
says.
Angel says concentration is just as
important as enthusiasm. “I try to
stay absolutely focused on what I’m
doing,” says Angel, who turned 13
on Aug. 14. “If I’m on the beam I
just stare at the beam and nothing
else. I never wave to the crowd or
look at scores or anything while I’m
competing.”
Angel credits her older sister for
serving as a role model and a moti-
vational training partner. “Venus has
always been there to help me if a
Angel
VENUS Valentine Romaeo and Angel Aphrodite Romaeo have names that sound mythological, but their gymnastics talent, dedication and success may
someday make them legends in gymnastics.
Venus placed third all-around at the
British junior championships in July, and
Angel won the British Espoirs (“hopes”)
division in June. They come from an athletic family whose parents, Elaine and Tony,
named each child for a historical figure.
Two of the girls’ brothers, Romeo Casanova
Valentino and Achilles Spartacus Mars, are
in boxing and taekwondo, respectively.
Their younger sister, Isis Ife, takes dance
classes. Their baby brother is Caesar
Augustus Constantine.
For now, Venus and Angel understand
that diligence—not famous namesakes—
could make them memorable in gymnastics.
“I sometimes dream of London 2012 and
being famous, but I know I have to keep my
feet on the ground,” says Venus, who will
turn 14 on Oct. 1 and is age-eligible for the
“Like all sisters we have
times when we
argue, but our
mum is there to
sort us out.”
