Daniel Purvis is relishing the opportunity to return to the site of his Commonwealth glory when the World Gymnastics Championships come to Glasgow in one year’s time.
British gymnasts won an impressive 26 medals at Glasgow 2014 and will be hoping for success on the world stage when the sport returns to the SEE Hydro in October 2015.
Purvis, who was also part of GB’s bronze medal winning team at London 2012, said: “The excitement is definitely already building and everyone can’t wait to be back in Glasgow next year.
“The Commonwealth Games proved how incredible the crowd are up here and how brilliant the Hydro Arena is.”
The event will be part of UK Sport’s National Lottery backed Gold Event Series, a major events legacy programme which aims to bring some of the most important sporting events on the international calendar to the UK.
Given the proximity to the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games, events next year will take on the additional significance of providing British athletes qualification opportunities on home soil.
UK Sport’s Director of Major Events Simon Morton explained: “The World Gymnastics Championships is one of 17 major events the UK will host in 2015 as part of our Gold Event Series, providing our athletes with the very best chance of securing qualification on the Road to Rio 2016 and giving thousands of spectators the opportunity to watch world class live sport.”
More than 500 artistic gymnasts from 80 nations will compete to become world champion next year and Purvis thinks GB will be up for the challenge.
“The World Championships are hugely important in our journey to the next Olympics in Rio and every British gymnast will be determined to be at their best in Glasgow this time next year, we can’t wait," he said.
Tickets are selling well for the event, but for those not able to attend there will be a fan zone set-up at Merchant Square, including a big screen live broadcast, ‘come and try’ sporting activities, athlete appearances and gymnastics demonstrations.