Commonwealth Games: Gymnasts poised for silver medal

SCOTLAND’s artistic gymnastic team are set to be presented with a historic silver medal at the Hydro today. Although the ceremony is not until the end of this evening’s session, Dan Keatings, Frank Baines, Adam Cox, Liam Davie and Dan Purvis are virtually uncatchable in second place.

Daniel Keatings of Scotland performs. Picture: Greg Macvean

Scotland has won four individual gymnastics medals in previous Commonwealth Games - most notably Steve Frew’s gold in 2002 – but this will be their first team medal. England, who included Louis Smith in their ranks, are celebrating gold, while Canada are ready to receive bronze.

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Scotland started the day in second place, having completed the floor, rings and pommel horse yesterday. Here, they consolidated their position after the vault, the parallel bars and the high bar.

It was an emotional day for Keatings, whose 2006 Games ended with a serious injury. He also missed the 2012 Olympics after damaging his ankle. Cox, who is now expected to retire from the sport, was also making up for missing the 2010 Commonwealth Games, which be boycotted in protest at his coach being made redundant.

The gold medal justified Smith’s decision to come out of retirement in January. The Englishman, who won Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, added this success to his silver medal at the London Olympics. The only disappointment for England was an injury to Sam Oldham, who was carried from the arena after landing awkwardly on his ankle during a vault.

SEE ALSO

• Table: medals won by Team Scotland at the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games

• Scotsman Commonwealth Games live discussions