By Marios Papaloizou

Crayford gymnast Giarnni Regini-Moran is determined to make the most of his opportunity to follow in the footsteps of his idols after being selected for this month’s Youth Olympic Games in Nanjing.

Regini-Moran had an early start in gymnastics after being taken to his first class aged just three, and he never looked back.

Now the 16-year-old is gearing up for the biggest competition of his life as he prepares to jet off to Nanjing for the Youth Olympic Games, which get underway on August 16.

It is the first rung on the ladder to senior Olympic glory for the Europa Gym Centre starlet, who claimed individual floor gold at this year’s European Championships as well as team gold and individual vault silver.

It was those performances that have given Regini-Moran the belief that medalling in China is a real possibility and he believes the Games give him the chance to follow in the footsteps of some of his Team GB heroes.

“I’d always watched the Olympics and I remember when I was about ten and I thought that one day ‘that could be me’,” he said.

“So since then I just worked really hard and kept trying and now I think this is the first big step on that path.

“I look at someone like Sam Oldham who went to 2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore and then went on to compete at London 2012 as an inspiration.

“So knowing that I will have a chance to follow in his footsteps and hopefully go to an Olympic Games is amazing.

“Coming out with a medal would be incredible and would be the highlight of my career and would probably be the best moment of my life if I could win something.

“I know the ability of the other gymnasts that will be there and I think that I have got a good chance.”

And the chance to compete is China is one that Regini-Moran is relishing as he bids to become Britain’s next big gymnastics star.

“I thought I had a good chance of going but you can never be sure but now it’s unreal that I’m actually going to the games,” he added.

“The European Championships went really well and winning medals there is a huge boost for me because it’s the best achievement in my career.

“It’s so exciting because it’s going to be exactly like an Olympic Games.

“There will be an opening ceremony and so many other athletes that it will be a real insight into what is to come further down the line.”

The British Olympic Association prepares and leads British athletes at the summer, winter and youth Olympic Games.

It works in partnership with sport National Governing Bodies to enhance Olympic success and is responsible for championing the Olympic Values.

For more information, visit teamgb.com

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