Florida gymnast’s Olympic dream comes true

Caitlin Rooskrantz, currently a matric learner at Parktown High School, returned from Stuttgart, Germany with a gold medal after competing in the World Olympic Gymnastics Qualification phase.

During the competition, Caitlin once again raised the bar to the next level, making South African history in the process. “I’m the first SA gymnast to qualify outright at the World Championships for the Olympics instead of having to rely on the uncertainty of the African wildcard route,” she explained.

Her performance means she will automatically be included in Team South Africa to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic Games. “It was completely overwhelming for me, knowing that I had worked so hard and had actually achieved my goal. Being able to meet and compete against the world’s best gymnasts was an honour and also super-exciting, even though there is a lot of pressure at competitions like these and it’s always a learning experience,” she said.

Before taking part in a competition, she ensures that all the necessary preparations are completed, in order for her to compete against the best. “Just before a competition, preparation is always key. Mentally, I try to do as much visualisation of what I want my performance to be like at least a week before I compete. The day of the competition, I try to just stay as calm and relaxed as possible, barely thinking about the competition. When the competition starts, I try to do a lot of talking to myself, assuring myself that I am prepared and to just always trust my training and preparations,” said Caitlin.

She is already training hard and preparing to represent South Africa at the Olympics.”I will prepare for the Olympics by mainly maintaining what I was able to do at the World Championships, as well as working a lot on new skills and possible new combinations that I can add to my routines to improve them. The main goal is to just stay healthy and injury-free,” she said.

Competing at such a high level is nothing new for this gymnast, as she has been competing since a young age and has learnt what the opportunity teaches you. “I have been competing internationally since the age of 11 and every competition is different. I have learnt how to manage and perform under high pressure and stress, how to deal with failures and injuries and of course being exposed to different skills,” she commented.

With her motto in life, “Life is what you make it out to be – you need to make the best out of your life despite your circumstances,” she is ready to take the the giant leap and compete at the Olympics. “It’s very exciting knowing I have made the Olympic Games for next year. This has been my childhood dream. It is something I constantly had in mind while working towards any of my goals; knowing I have achieved it, is so exciting and I am so proud, not only of myself but of my team and country!” she said excitedly.