Alice Kinsella: British gymnast continues historic comeback at international level

Olympic gymnast Alice Kinsella says “it’s hard to put into words” how she feels about returning to international competition as her groundbreaking comeback to the sport continues this weekend.

The two-time European champion became the first British artistic gymnast to resume elite competition after giving birth, when she finished fourth in the beam at the British Championships in March.

Now the 25-year-old is preparing for her first competition back in Team GB colours at a senior team international against France, Switzerland, Germany and Italy at Fenton Manor in Stoke on 12-13 September.

“It’s kind of crazy – it’s such a surreal feeling but I am very excited,” Kinsella told BBC Radio Stoke.

“It’s only been a year, postpartum. Training-wise, it’s been tough, but it’s been good. I’m excited to finally get out there. I’m ready, I’m doing everything I can to get back where I was.

“It’s been a rollercoaster but a good one.”

Kinsella’s pioneering journey back to the sport is so rare it became the subject of a university research paper into elite gymnasts resuming their careers after giving birth.

Her son Parker, who was born in September 2025, is already a source of inspiration and he will be watching his mum compete at the weekend as Kinsella competes in all four pieces of apparatus – balance beam, bars, vault and floor – for the first time.

“It’s really special because I’ve wanted to try to get back into a team and this is a really good start because it’s a little four-way,” Kinsella, who trains with Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club in Shropshire, said.

“It’s not too big of a competition which is really good. I’m definitely nervous, but it’s hard to put into words – it’s been so long.

“I did the British [Championships] in March but only did beam and that’s all I was training really but now I’m trying to do all four so it’s more on the body.

“It’s not like you’ve done one piece and you can stop thinking about everything, you’ve got to move on to the next and think about that. So it’s been tough.”