Video: Sam Oldham on Sports Week speaking about training back in Notts
Nottingham Olympic bronze medallist Sam Oldham is training back in his home city to prepare for the next Games in 2020.
The gymnast won a bronze medal at the London 2012 Games but was omitted from the squad that travelled to Rio earlier this year.
He now has his sights firmly set on going for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Appearing on tonight’s edition of Sports Week, he said: “2012 was an amazing experience, getting the first team medal in 100 years for Great Britain [in gymnastics].
“I had high expectations for Rio and the first two years were incredible – I got three European medals and went to the Commonwealth games in amazing shape.
“Then I suffered a pretty horrific injury at those games and it really just knocked me for six – I disclocated my ankle, ruptured my lateral ligament, dislocated my back, ruptured my medial ligament and had a fracture in my leg.”
This year has been a great year despite missing out on the Olympics
Sam was told he would not be able to compete for 12 to 18 months but was happy to be back in action much sooner than thought.
He said: “I got back to competing on six apparatus in six months thanks to the incredible medical team but I was doing eight hours of rehab every single day.
“I suffered in the long run and picked up a lot of injuries in 2015; this year has been a great year despite missing out on the Olympics.
“I felt I had earned my spot in that team because I did incredibly well in the trials and it was a tough blow when I was told I wasn’t selected.”
For more from Sam, and to see Christian’s interview with studio guest Isobel Pooley, watch the October 12 episode of Sports Week on Notts TV at 7.30pm, or see our catch up service from 8pm, where the entire series is also available on demand.
