Irish Olympic gymnast Ellis O’Reilly announces her retirement

Irish Olympian Ellis O’Reilly, who made history as becoming the first Irish female to qualify for an Olympic Games in gymnastics at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, has announced her retirement from the sport.

The 19-year-old made her Irish international debut at the 2014 European Championships in Bulgaria and went on to win the Irish all-round title for three years in a row from 2014.

O’Reilly competed in two World Championships in 2014 and 2015 and was a three-time silver medallist at the Northern European Championships.

Announcing her retirement, O’Reilly said: “I never thought I would even make it to a world championship let alone an Olympic Games, but with the help and support around me it became a reality. I hope my achievements have inspired younger gymnasts that anything is possible, and therefore to always believe in themselves.”