Aisling Williams: Gymnast

16-year old gymnast Aisling Williams from Liverpool is currently a member of the British junior squad.

Aisling was five years old when she started taking an interest in gymnastics and enrolled in a recreational 'BAGA badge scheme' classes at her local club. Making steady progress for a number of years, 2003 was the year that Aisling began to establish herself internationally. She is the most successful British junior of all time, having broken the previous GB record winning 4th place at the 2004 junior European Championships.

This year she was selected to represent Great Britain for the first time at the World Championships in Denmark in October 2006.

Aisling says of her role with McDonald's Olympic hopefuls: 'I got interested in gymnastics at a very early age and have worked really hard. I love all aspects of it and find it very hard when people ask me what my favourite discipline is, although if I am pushed, I'd have to say the bars. I am really excited to be part of a programme which encourages everyone to find a sport they like - it's great fun trying new things out.'

Aisling's career highlights to date:

• 2004- Youth Commonwealth Games, Team 1st, All-Around 2nd, Beam Final 2nd, Floor Final 2nd
• 2004- English Junior Championships, All-Around 1st, Vault 1st, Bars 1st, Beam 1st
• 2004- World School Games, Team 1st, All-Around 4th, Bars final 1st, Beam final 2nd, Vault 4th
• 2004- Junior Europeans, Team 4th, All-around 4th, Bars final 5th, Vault final 8th
• 2004- British Team Championships, Team 1st
• 2004- GB v France, Team 1st, All-around 2nd
• 2006- British World Championships, All-Around 3rd