By Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber
PARIS (Reuters) – At her Olympic debut at London 2012, then teenage gymnast Ellie Black hardly could have imagined becoming a four-time Olympian, a feat of longevity not seen before among Canadian artistic gymnasts.
“Looking back from London, I don’t think I would have imagined myself still being here at four Olympics, but I’m so grateful that I am,” the 28-year-old said after training at the Bercy Arena in Paris.
“It’s not easy. It’s definitely something that you work at and it can be challenging, but it’s so rewarding.”
At her second Games in 2016, Black finished fifth in the women’s all-around final, her country’s best result in the event. At Tokyo 2020 she finished fourth in the beam final, the best Olympic result by a Canadian in any women’s artistic gymnastics event.
Black explained her longevity in a sport long dominated by teenagers to adjustments to her training that have helped her preserve mind and body.
“I don’t necessarily train as many hours or I don’t do necessarily as many reps,” she said.
“I think it’s knowing your body, knowing how many reps you need to do, when you need to take a step back, knowing that rest is actually a priority.”
Black’s career has not been short of hardship and injury. She was forced to withdraw from the all-around final at Tokyo 2020 because of an ankle sprain. She had ankle surgery early last year to remove bone chips in her ankle that were causing inflammation.
At practice on Thursday, her left ankle was in a brace.
“I’m coming in maybe not with my ankles the way I ideally want to be here, but I’m still able to be here for the team, working with the physios to make it happen,” Black said.
“Gymnastics takes a toll on your body. I’m being smart with how many reps I’m doing, what I’m doing in and out of the gym.”
(Reporting by Gabrielle Tétrault-Farber; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
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