Hilperton rhythmic gymnast Francesca Fox and her Team GB team-mates left Wembley Arena with their heads held high earlier today as they brought their London 2012 adventure to a close.

The 20-year-old and team-mates Louisa Pouli, Rachel Smith, Jade Falkner, Lynne Hutchison, and Georgina Cassar missed out on Sunday's team final after narrowly finishing 12th following two days of competition this afternoon but put on a flawless ribbons and hoops display for an enthusiastic crowd.

The Team GB girls, who are Great Britain's first-ever Olympic rhythmic team, finished with a score of 48.000, which was hot on the heels of Canada and Germany, as Russia led on 56.375 going into Sunday’s final.

The self-funded gymnasts were almost brought to tears by the reception they received from the home crowd following their routine earlier today and Fox's team-mate Faulkner, from Swindon, thinks that their team have shown what can be done if you do it for yourself.

“It was a great routine from the girls and I knew that they could do such a great job,” said the 18-year-old, who was a reserve today but performed on Thursday.

"I think we’ve got every reason to be proud of ourselves because where we’ve come from is no funding, no proper structure, and we owe so much to our coach Sarah Moon.

“Between us we’ve done it all ourselves. Sometimes it’s been hard knowing t Hutchinson, coach Sarah Moon and Georgina Cassar chat we haven’t got a great core of support.

“We’re doing it for the next generation of gymnasts.

“We’re not doing it for ourselves or for the medals. We’re doing it for the sport, which we hope will have had some exposure in this country.

“That was exactly what we were hoping would happen – that people in this country knew about rhythmic gymnastics and more young girls can take up the sport.

“Then again, we have other kinds of support to help us through. On Twitter and so on we’ve had so many messages of good luck.

"The crowd here this week were also amazing and I think they’ve shown the people watching at home what we’re about.”

Team GB's Cassar added: "When I was waiting behind the arena I was shaking like a leaf as it's a home crowd and we needed to do well. When we came out I could hear people I knew in the crowd, such as people from our gym club and my family members.

"I told myself there was no pressure and it was like doing a display for your family. As soon as we got on the floor I was calm, happy and couldn't stop smiling even though it was meant to be a fierce routine.

"It would be great to have a home crowd every time we competed."

MORE ON FRANCESCA FOX AND ALL WILTSHIRE'S OLYMPIANS ONLINE ON GAZETTEANDHERALD.CO.UK AND WILTSHIRETIMES.CO.UK , AND IN NEXT WEEK'S GAZETTE AND HERALD AND WILTSHIRE TIMES

 

Jade Faulkner is a Lloyds TSB Local Hero and member of Team GB.  Lloyds TSB is proud partner of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games and supporter of Team GB on their journey to London 2012. lloydstsb.com/london2012