A FORMER British champion gymnast from Llanelli has been selected to carry the Queen’s message when it comes to the county on May 27.
Natalie Lucitt-Jenkins is one of over a dozen baton bearers that will take part in the Queen’s Baton Relay celebrations ahead of the Glasgow games in July. The baton holds the Queen’s message to Commonwealth Games athletes.
The 30-year-old is no stranger to the Commonwealth Games after competing in the 1998 Kuala Lumpur event and finishing fifth in the beam. The mum of three was also part of the first British gymnastics team to qualify for an Olympic Games presence in the 2000 Sydney games after securing 11th place at the World Championships.
The county has secured a prime relay display day after the May Bank Holiday for television coverage, with the baton being trailed from the Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse in Laugharne, then onto Carmarthen, Ammanford and Llanelli before returning to Carmarthen.
The council’s leisure teams have been working on the relay for six months and impressed assessors with their plans for the three county towns and Laugharne.
Natalie, a former pupil of Coedcae School, started gymnastics at the age of six and three years later she won the British title. Although Natalie’s days for competing are over she continues to work with gymnasts in a coaching capacity at Elite Performance level and is National Development Coach for the west area.
She said: “I was taken to gymnastics by my parents because I was showing hyperactive behaviour and they thought it would use up my energy. In fact it had the opposite effect instead of jumping off the sofa I was doing cartwheels!”
One of her former coaches, Carol Sargeant, of Llanelli Gymnastics Club said she spotted Natalie’s potential from a very young age.
She said: “Her determination to succeed was very clear and always demonstrated her eagerness to learn and develop. The commitment and dedication from both Natalie and her parents enabled her to fulfil her dreams.”
The relay, which builds up to the July games to be held in Glasgow, is currently in Africa.
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