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    Team GB’s tumbling twins, 19, struggling to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics after freak injuries following Tokyo bronzes

    GYMNASTIC twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova look set to miss the Paris Olympics as they struggle to qualify for Team GB.The sisters won Olympic bronze medals three years ago in Tokyo as the four-person British squad stood on the women’s team podium for the first time since 1928.Gymnastics twins Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova look set to miss Paris 2024Credit: StartraksJessica suffered an ACL injury and Jennifer is dealing with ankle problemsYet it appears increasingly unlikely the 19-year-old tumblers will be involved in the French capital in four months’ time as they are currently in rehab and not yet back to competition.Jessica, the 2022 world floor champion, suffered a freak “full tear to my ACL” that has sidelined her since last October and required knee surgery before Christmas.There is the slim prospect that if she is apparatus-fit come June or July she could be parachuted in as a late sub for the artistic gymnastics team.Jennifer, meanwhile, had a clear-out op this year on her ankle, which has caused her long-term discomfort, but she does not have the qualifying points against her name for selection.Read More on SportSpeaking to SunSport at last weekend’s British Championships in Liverpool, which the duo watched from the stands, Jessica said: “It happened during a warm-up. I just did a simple drill. Unfortunately it just happened.“From October to December, I did a lot of prehab around the knee to make it as strong as possible before going into surgery.“I’ve got a massive, long journey ahead of me. Now it’s all rehab. It’s looking good but obviously the journey is very long with an ACL. I’m not putting a goal or a date on the end.“There are going to be ups and downs along the journey.Most read in Athletics“We aren’t looking at this Olympics, we’re looking at more Olympics ahead. We’re still young, we’ll recover.“We have been supporting each other massively through the highs and the lows, especially as we’re at a low point at the moment.Team GB gymnastics bronze medallist Gadirova twins bag GCSE distinctions “But at least we’re both going through it together, so we can support one other the best that we can.“We know that we just have to recover our bodies and we’ll get there one day. It’s only a little bump in the road. It’s difficult but it also gives us the fire in our bellies.”BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERThe pair have spent time undergoing rehabilitation – which includes specialist physiotherapy and medical support – at Bisham Abbey National Sports Centre, a facility funded by £7million of National Lottery investment.Whatever happens, unless they make miracle recoveries, they plan to be the biggest cheerleaders imaginable for the Brits across the Channel this July and August.Jennifer, who like her sister was born in Dublin but relocated to the UK, said: “My rehab is taking a little bit longer than expected.“It’s a six-to-eight week recovery. I’m slowly building back. But I haven’t officially been signed off yet.“Yes, we’d love to go to the Olympics. We’ve already done one Olympics before so deep down, we don’t feel like we’re 100% missing out.It’s only a little bump in the road. It’s difficult but it also gives us the fire in our bellies.Jessica Gadirova“We’re already Olympians. We’re already Olympic bronze medallists. That’s a great achievement already.“Missing this one, yes it’s really gutting, but we’re still young and have a bright future ahead of us.READ MORE SUN STORIES“We’re so close, it’s amazing to have a twin sister being in the same sport, going through the same issues. It’s just really helpful to push through.“Like Jess, I’m not putting a time frame or a limit to it. I’m focused on making my ankle as strong as it can possibly be, so the issue doesn’t happen again.”*National Lottery players raise more than £30million a week for good causes including vital funding into sport — from grassroots to elite. Find out how your numbers make amazing happen at www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk #MakeAmazingHappen #ThanksToYou More

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    I won bronze at London 2012 Olympics to make Team GB history… now I work for the Premier League in totally new career

    KRISTIAN THOMAS won bronze with Team GB at London 2012 but now works for the Premier League in a completely new role.The retired gymnast was a part of the history-making quintet which came third in the men’s team all-around 12 years ago.Kristian Thomas won gymnastics bronze with Team GB at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: AFPHe now works as a player care and engagement manager for the Premier LeagueCredit: YouTube / Team EnglandIt was the first time in 100 years Team GB had won an Olympic team medal in gymnastics.Now 35, Thomas has been a player care and engagement manager for the Premier League since January 2022.His role sees him offer support to all 20 clubs and their player-care staff to help raise such provision at each club.He also canvasses player opinions and gives feedback to the Premier League for any potential rule changes.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLDiscussing his career change, he told Olympics.com in December 2022: “Ultimately sport is sport at the end of the day, and I like to think that what I bring to the role is that knowledge and understanding of what being an elite sportsperson looks like, whether you’re a footballer or a gymnast.”That exposure and competing under the spotlight and having a goal, a focus, training towards that, it might happen, it might not happen, the bounce-back resilience shown with injuries, setbacks, and so on, that still stays the same.”As for the impact of his work, he added: “Taking the knee would be a good example.”Recently the captains decided that instead of doing it every game, they would do it in selected matches instead and hopefully drive the exposure that way.”Most read in FootballBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSThomas also works for Commonwealth Games England and the British Olympic Association alongside his Premier League job.It follows a range of roles including motivational speaker and athlete trainer since retiring from gymnastics.Footballers you didn’t know were related from Premier League icons to Lionel MessiAs well as bronze in London, Thomas was part of the team which finished fourth in Rio in 2016.He was also a Commonwealth and European champion in the men’s team all-around as well as winning European gold in the floor exercise.His best Olympic performance in the event saw him place seventh in Rio eight years ago.It came after he had made more history at the 2013 World Championships with bronze in vault, the first global medal ever won by a British male gymnast in the discipline.Thomas made history with Team GB in 2012 and competed again at the 2016 gamesCredit: GettyHe won European gold in two events during his gymnastics careerCredit: AFP More

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    Anthony Joshua’s incredible tattoo collection includes touching nod to African heritage and boxing Olympic gold medal

    ANTHONY JOSHUA has certainly left his mark on plenty of opponents in the ring over the years.But the former two-time unified WBO, IBF, and WBA heavyweight champion has also got plenty of his own thanks to his personal collection of tattoos.Anthony Joshua is one of the most iconic sports starts in the worldCredit: GettyThe Watford hero is a former heavyweight world championCredit: GettyAnd each inking reveals a deep and powerful message for the British boxing star. SunSport runs through AJ’s tats and explains the meaning behind them.GOLDEN MEMORYTaking pride of place at the bottom of his neck is the Team GB lion emblem.Joshua got it after representing his nation at the 2012 Olympics, when he won gold on home soil.read more on AJHe battled back to beat reigning champion Roberto Cammarelle of Italy in the super-heavyweight category, making up a three-point deficit in the final round.After his win, 6ft 6ins AJ told the BBC: “That medal represents my journey and the support from the team. “It’s much more than just a gold medal, it’s a life experience and I’m just proud to have it round my neck.”And the Team GB lion is a permanent reminder of that memorable gold medal.Most read in BoxingBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSJoshua won a gold medal at the London 2012 OlympicsCredit: News Group Newspapers LtdAJ marked the occasion by getting the Team GB lion emblem on the bottom of his neckCredit: PASEEKING WISDOMAJ constantly wants to keep improving – in and out of the ring.And therefore he holds the word “wisdom” close to his heart… and his shoulder.Inside Anthony Joshua’s amazing car collection Joshua has the six letters inked on his right shoulder to tell him each day there is an opportunity to learn from others.AJ said: “I always seek wisdom and knowledge, like the wise men from the Italian films and [1986 film] Wise Guys, all that stuff.”I’ve always sought it, so it had relevance and meaning to me.”Joshua says he ‘always seeks wisdom’ and can always find it on his right shoulderCredit: AFPAFRICAN HERITAGEBelow the “wisdom” tattoo is his outline of the continent of Africa.Africa has had a massive influence on Joshua’s life.His dear mum Yeta Odusanya comes from Nigeria, while his paternal great-grandfather is considered one of the greatest men of the town of Sagamu.As a result, AJ wanted to get the body artwork as a classy nod to his heritage – and opted for the map of the continent with Nigeria marked.Reflecting on the Africa tattoo, he said: “I learned more about my family’s history and I ended up getting an Africa tattoo underneath it. “It was a nice combination to have ‘Wisdom’ and your heritage tattooed underneath, so it went well.”AJ then added regarding his Team GB logo: “I’ve actually got that tattooed on me as well in the middle of my neck. “It’s shaped me in the sense that it’s been a blessing because I think I can talk to anyone – different backgrounds, cultures and religions because I’ve been exposed to so many different cultures. “I think that’s a blessing that’s shaped me really well.”The outline of Africa takes its place on his shoulder with Nigeria marked outCredit: RexBoth of the boxer’s parents have Nigerian rootsCredit: https://www.instagram.com/anthonyjoshua/FOREST FINGERLastly, in 2019, AJ got a tattoo on the middle finger of his left hand to cover up some calluses picked up throughout his boxing career.The fighter headed to the Southgate SG Tattoo shop in North London where owner Victor Tsyhanou designed and inked a lion’s head and a forest on the top of the finger.He even used one of the calluses as the moon in a genius way of using the battle scars for good. READ MORE SUN STORIESAJ said the finished product was “perfect” as he thanked the tattoo artist.The Southgate parlour said on Instagram: “It was an honour to tattoo the champ, Anthony Joshua. Thank you for trusting us.”Joshua wanted a tattoo on his middle finger to cover up his callusesCredit: Southgate SG TattooThe lion and forest make an intricate designCredit: Southgate SG TattooAJ described the tattoo as ‘perfect’Credit: Southgate SG Tattoo More

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    Great Britain’s Adam Fogg awarded place in 1500m final after being TRIPPED by opponent at World Indoor Athletics

    GREAT BRITAIN’S Adam Fogg has secured a place in the 1500m final for the World Indoor Athletics despite finishing sixth in his heat.The 25-year-old was given qualification to Sunday’s final after he was TRIPPED by his opponent during the race.Adam Fogg was awarded a spot in the 1500m final World Indoor Athletics after he tripped during his heatCredit: AlamyFogg was tripped as he began the raceCredit: BBCHe tumbled to the ground as his competitors skipped over himCredit: BBCThe Brit managed to get back to his feet quicklyCredit: BBCBut he had already fallen significantly behind in the raceCredit: BBCFogg had just got off the line to begin his qualification heat when after only five seconds he appeared to tangle his legs with Danish opponent Kristian Hansen and fall to the ground.The fall was early enough for the distance runner to get back to his feet and try and hunt down the pack, but unfortunately he was still left some way off the race leaders.However, after the race came to a conclusion Fogg was handed a place in Sunday’s 1500m final anyway after officials deemed his fall to be a consequence of being “unfairly impeded”. Only three runners from each heat are supposed to qualify for the final with the fastest three making the cut, but exceptions can be made when someone has been impeded.READ MORE SPORT NEWSSpeaking after the race Fogg explained how his tumble had essentially put him out of the race despite his best efforts to catch back up. He told BBC Sport: “This sport is brutal and I’ve hit the deck a few times, but when you hit the deck you don’t want it to happen in your first track Indoor World Championships.”In the first steps I thought I was going to be in a good spot. I went down pretty hard and my shoulder is pretty sore, my hip feels sore, but it is the way it goes.”The adrenaline got to me, but after you fall down like that you are swamped and you feel worn out straight away – I tried to pull it together, but there is nothing you can really do.”Most read in AthleticsBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSHe went on to add that he was keen to keep going in spite of his fall to ensure he still finished the race in front of the home crowd in Glasgow.He added: “I have never not finished a race and I don’t want to start that, this crowd is brilliant and it’s great to be running at a home championships.High-jumper breaks down in floods of tears live on BBC at World Indoor Athletics Championship after devastating injury”Obviously I am not from Scotland, but it’s nice to be in the UK.”Fogg will now face off against the other qualified runners in Sunday’s final, but it will be a crowded track for the Brit.He’s not the only runner that was given a spot in the final as a result of being tripped with Ethiopia’s Biniam Mehary receiving the same treatment.The two extra qualifications means that there will be 14 RUNNERS taking part in the final with the race originally supposed to see just 12 men face off for gold.Ethiopian runner Biniam Mehary was also tripped in his heat and subsequently awarded a spot in Sunday’s finalCredit: Alamy More

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    I nearly lost my finger in a freak accident but now I’m an influencer hoping to win gold at Paris 2024 Olympics

    MOLLY CAUDERY will be jumping for joy at the Olympics if she can carry her red-hot pole vaulting form into Paris.And her dream of a medal this summer could come true less than three years after virtually losing her finger in a freak accident at home.Molly Caudery is the rising star of British athleticsCredit: GettyShe is on top of the world as the best pole vaulter in 2024Credit: PACaudery has overcome a series of injury battlesCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe loves to travel and soaked up the sun in South Africa in early 2024Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyBorn in Cornwall in March 2000, the new darling of British athletics is enjoying a simply astonishing rise – both on the field and online.Caudery, 23, hit the headlines with her silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games – four years on from her fifth-placed finish as an 18-year-old on the Gold Coast in Australia.Incredibly, though, just eight months earlier, a shocking injury in her home gym almost ended her pole vault career before it got off the ground. Caudery, who sports a scar on her index finger, said: “I was doing snatching and, as I brought the bar down, my finger caught between where you rack it and the bar.READ MORE ON ATHLETICS“It was 90 per cent off. It was holding on by the skin on the side. “Three surgeries later, it is all good. But since then, I had two Achilles surgeries, which put me out for almost nine months. “That was a pretty big setback that I managed to come back from.”That final sentence is an understatement. Most read in AthleticsSince that Commonwealth silver, Caudery has literally jumped to new heights, setting two PBs on the same day to claim the British Championships title in July 2023.That gained her automatic entry into the Worlds the following month, where she came fifth with her new record of 4.75m. World’s sexiest athlete Alica Schmidt turned down ‘high six figures’ sponsorship deal despite earning £611 a monthThe Loughborough University sports science graduate backed that up as she claimed the UK Indoor title with a 4.85m.And with her PB now at 4.86m, she heads into the World Indoor Championships in Glasgow as the leading pole vaulter this season.So with Paris 2024 just around the corner, it is little wonder she is dreaming of a medal – just like her Team GB team-mate and Loughborough pal Holly Bradshaw, who claimed bronze in Tokyo three years ago.After all, Bradshaw jumped 4.85m for her bronze, with 4.90m the gold-medal height.Caudery added ahead of the Glasgow meet: “It’s every athlete’s dream to get an Olympic medal. “If I can just get to the final in Paris then you never know what is going to happen.“Every athlete has their timeline and mine was always 2028.Caudery dreams of bringing home a gold medal from ParisCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe pole vaulter is dating British high jumper Joel Clarke KhanCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has racked up more than 205,000 Instagram followersCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe Cornwall star has been to Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The BahamasCredit: instagram @molly_caudery“But I know that what I’ve jumped so far could be pushing towards those medal areas, so I do think I need to re-evaluate. It’s crazy to think that that could put me up there.“To go from my PB being 4.60 at the beginning of last year to 4.86 already this year, it’s all happened very quickly for me.“I took so much confidence from last year and I’ve improved physically and mentally and I think that’s just taken me to the next step.“Coming into the season, a world indoors medal was not a clear target. But now I can’t shy away from the fact that I’ve been consistently jumping 4.80. “If I can keep doing what I’m doing, a medal could be on the cards and that’s exciting.”It is little wonder adidas snapped talented Caudery up early in 2024 as she put pen to paper on her first kit contract.The sportswear giants undoubtedly spotted the huge potential of their new client, too, given her sudden explosion of popularity online.Her combination of athletics posts, worldwide holiday snaps, glamorous selfies, bikini pics and doting content with her fellow British athlete boyfriend, high jumper Joel Clarke Khan, proves to be a winning formula. Caudery is relishing her red-hot form in the fieldCredit: PAHer current PB stands at a whopping 4.86mCredit: PAHer jump of 4.85m secured gold at the 2024 British Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: GettyCaudery needed surgery to save her left index fingerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe x-ray shows the horrific damage done in her home gym in December 2021Credit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery has ticked off South Africa, Indonesia, Greece, the Canary Islands, Florida and The Bahamas – with the incredible photos going down a storm with supporters. Like her jumps, the followers count is going through the roof and now stands at a new PB of more than 205,000.And it shows no signs of letting up, either.The aspiring baker, keen traveller and part-time surfer – who has had to put her thrill-seeking skydiving on pause during her athletics career – is riding the wave and taking the fame in her stride, though. And while she denied suggestions she is also a model, reflecting on the social media stardom, Caudery said: “I don’t know where it really came from. “More recently, I’ve been posting a lot of pole vault videos and I’m getting like 10,000 more followers just from that. READ MORE SUN STORIES“’I think having that following is super important. People have said that athletics is not quite as big as it used to be. “So if I can inspire one person from the next generation, let alone the 200,000 or so who follow me, to be a part of athletics and keep it going, then that would be great.”Caudery ticked Indonesia off the bucket listCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe signed her first kit deal with adidas this yearCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyCaudery works hard in the gym and is reaping the rewardsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe star loves baking and surfing in her free timeCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyShe has had to put her passion for skydiving on pause during her athletics careerCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyThe rising star knows she can inspire others to get into athleticsCredit: instagram @molly_cauderyHer holiday snaps rack up thousands of likesCredit: instagram @molly_caudery More

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    We’re twin sisters, 27, who both secretly battled same disease… now we’re plotting Olympic gold at Paris 2024 together

    TWO TWIN sisters aiming to bring back Olympic gold for Team GB this summer have been battling the same disease since being 13.The 27-year-old Londoners Lina and Laviai Nielsen first started to dream of representing their country in the relay race together while chasing around the primary school field.
    Twin sisters Laviai and Lina Nielsen are hoping to bring back the gold this summerCredit: Rex
    The success of the siblings is even more remarkable after the pair were diagnosed with the same diseaseCredit: Reuters
    That looked set to become reality when they were selected for Britain’s 4x400m team at the 2017 European Indoor Championships.
    However, after a stress fracture in her foot ruled Lina out, it took another five years before the pair were chosen together again.
    But they were unable to compete alongside each other at the 2022 World Championships as Lina suffered a relapse of the multiple sclerosis that both sisters suffer from.
    Up until that point in their careers they had kept it secret after originally being diagnosed aged 13, but the flare-up prompted them to finally reveal their story.
    READ MORE ON SPORT
    Laviai is still yet to suffer major symptoms like her sister, and she told BBC Sport: “We’re still deciding not to take medicine because we’re not sure of the side effects.
    “We’ve always been pretty good with our diet and nutrition, but after Lina’s flare-up we’ve taken it even more seriously. So far it’s all gone well.”
    Despite those previous setbacks, the duo are hoping it will be third time lucky after being chosen together again for the World Indoor Championships this weekend in Britain’s 4x400m team.
    Laviai explained how they hope to not only make it to at least the final, but that she is desperate to compete over 400m hurdles and join her sister in a bid for Olympic gold at the Paris Games this summer.
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    And Laviai tried to put into words just exactly what it would mean if they were to stand together on the relay podium.
    She said: “We would definitely celebrate it greatly. It would be huge.”
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    Lina, who finally made her international debut in 2022, has now switched and made the 400m hurdles her primary individual event.
    She added: “There have been so many setbacks along the way.
    “It’s the nature of sport – it is cut-throat. Sometimes you need luck on your side.
    “Hopefully we’re all good this time round. It can’t get better than finally racing together in front of a home crowd.”
    The sisters are hoping it’ll be third time a charm at the World Indoor ChampionshipsCredit: Getty
    Laviai Nielsen pictured winning the 400m ahead of Lina in Birmingham this monthCredit: Rex More

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    Forgotten Team GB star Dwain Chambers ‘to RETURN to athletics 20 YEARS after doping ban’ aged 45

    DWAIN CHAMBERS is set to make a shock return to athletics aged 45 – more than 20 years after his doping ban.Chambers was suspended for two years in 2003 after testing positive for the steroid THG.
    Dwain Chambers is eyeing a stunning return to athletics aged 45Credit: AP:Associated Press
    However, he was back competing for Great Britain in 2006 and went on to enjoy great success, especially indoors where he was crowned world 60m champion.
    But now the Daily Mail report the North London sprinter will make his major comeback at the UK Athletics Indoor Championships in February.
    Dad-of-two Chambers ran an impressive 6.81sec to break the over-45s 60m world record at Lee Valley earlier this month.
    And the self-described ‘Benjamin Button’ plans to compete over the same distance at the flagship UK meeting in Birmingham.
    READ MORE ON ATHLETICS
    That could see him go up against athletes literally half his age.
    Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, ex-60m world champ Richard Kilty, reigning British champion Reece Prescod and 100m world semi-finalist Eugene Amo-Dadzie may also feature.
    And should Chambers take to the start line, it would cap off an incredible return to top-level athletics.
    The former 100m world bronze medallist in 1999, who won 4 x 100m European gold, has not featured at the Indoor Championships for four years and failed to get through outdoor 100m heats in both 2021 and 2022.
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    Chambers saw his European 100m gold medal and record 9.87sec time nullified by his drugs ban but stepped back into competition briefly in 2006.
    He then had ventures into both American Football and rugby league before turning his attention largely to the 60m distance – although he did race against Usain Bolt at London 2012.
    Five-time national indoor winner Chambers’ 6.42sec time from 2009 remains the British record.
    Chambers is also a coach at his academy at Lee Valley as he prepares for his shock comeback after a decade away from representing Great Britain on the international stage.
    Chambers missed out on qualifying for the 100m outdoors in 2021 and 2022Credit: PA
    He is still competing and is also a coach for younger athletesCredit: Instagram More

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    Glam British athlete Lauryn Davey shows off toned abs in red bikini as stunned fans say ‘woah’

    LAURYN LOUISE DAVEY had fans in awe with her latest social media post.The British Olympic hopeful took a break from her training to share a stunning snap on Instagram.
    Lauryn Louise Davey shared a stunning snap in a red bikini to her Instagram pageCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Davey is a Team GB Olympic hopefulCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She is a British Heptathlete champion at junior levelCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Heptathlete Davey is gunning to be part of Team GB’s Olympic squad.
    However, Paris 2024 comes too soon for the 24-year-old.
    Instead, the 2026 Commonwealth games are what the Welsh National hero is eyeing as her ticket to the 2028 Olympics.
    And it seems she will take a number of fans with her.
    READ MORE IN SPORT INFLUENCERS
    Davey currently has nearly 25,000 followers on Instagram.
    Reacting to her latest post, captioned: “Power of now 🙏🏼,” fans had nothing but well wishes and praise.
    She was seen wearing a red bikini in the post.
    One fan said: “Woah 🔥🔥🔥🔥.”
    Most read in Athletics
    A second said: “Beaut & strong.”
    A third added: “Champ❤️.”
    As well as her Olympic dream which she has had since the age of five, she is also taking a medical degree at Swansea University.
    Davey, who also has a vegan diet, recently shared snaps of herself following a gym workout.
    Davey regularly shares shows off her figure on her social mediaCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    Davey has nearly 25,000 fans on InstagramCredit: instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She is aiming to use the 2026 Commonwealth Games as her tickets to the OlympicsCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey
    She is currently doing a medical degree at Swansea UniversityCredit: Instagram @laurynlouisedavey More