Olympic silver medallist Ji Wallace ready to help junior gymnasts

A history-making Olympic medallist is ready to help the next generation of Queensland athletes. We reveal where you can meet him and how he will shape future of a huge sporting community.

Australian Ji Wallace won silver in Trampoline at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Picture: Stephen Munday

Ji Wallace is one of one in the Australian gymnastics history books.

The only Aussie with an Olympic medal Wallace, who won silver in Trampoline at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, is ready to shape the next generation of Queensland gymnasts.

The 41-year-old is touring the Sunshine State taking advanced sport science to regional clubs in a bid to develop athletes who’ll compete at the Brisbane 2032 Games.

“I’m really excited about visiting the regions and potentially being able to help clubs continue their good work – which could result in another Australian gymnast standing on an

Olympic podium,” Wallace said.

“Apart from some meet-and-greets, I’ll be watching over some trainings sessions where

coaches are already instilling qualities like speed, agility and strength, not only in trampolining

but the sport generally.

Australian gymnast Ji Wallace (right) with his coach Nikolay Zhuravlev after he won silver in the trampoline during the Olympic Games in Sydney.

Ji Wallace showing off the silver medal he won in the trampoline during the Olympic Games in Sydney.

“It’s important we conduct these tours because who knows, there could be a medal prospect in

our own backyard leading into Brisbane 2032.”

During his 17-day Goodwill Tour the Gymnastics Queensland high performance program coach will visit a number of clubs.

Starting in the Lockyer Valley on Tuesday, March 25 he will visit Lowood Gatton Gymnastics.

His tour will then take in Toowoomba Thunder Gymnastics, Warwick Gymnastics Club,

Dalby Step Up Gymnastics, Chinchilla Gymnastics and Wandoan Gymnastics before heading north to take in Emerald, Mt Isa, Hughenden, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Maryborough.

“We want to make sure we work with clubs and coaches to ensure young gymnasts wherever

they are in Queensland have an opportunity to reach their full potential – especially ahead of the Brisbane Games,” Gymnastics Queensland chief Chris Rushton said.