Galway teenager makes history by reaching European Gymnastics finals

A Galway gymnast has gone where no Irish woman has gone before – and she wasn’t on board the Star Ship Enterprise!

Claregalway’s Emma Slevin broke new ground when finishing 19th in the Senior All-Around Top-24 Final at the European Gymnastics Championships in Basel, Switzerland.

In becoming the first Irish female gymnast to reach a final at European elite level, the 17-year-old teenager improved on her qualifying position of 22nd last Friday.

A member of the Renmore Gymnastics Club in the city, Slevin’s outstanding achievement has given a massive boost to the sport locally.

“Overall, I am just delighted with that performance. Being with the best gymnasts in the world, it was just an amazing experience,” said Slevin afterwards.