TEAM 2012: Francis confident Commonwealths boat has not yet sailed

By Tom Reynolds, Sportsbeat

 GYMNAST Danusia Francis is adamant her late withdrawal from April's European Championships will have little or no bearing on her selection for October's Commonwealth Games.

COMEBACK TRAIL: Danusia Francis missed out on the European Championships in April but is still confident of making the Commonwealth Games grade (Getty Images)

The 16-year-old was named as part of a five-strong British team for the Europeans in Birmingham, however, was forced to pull out with a pelvic injury at the last minute.

Francis could only watch on as double world champion Beth Tweddle led a British team, including Rebecca Downie, Nicole Hibbert, Niamh Rippin and Jocelyn Hunt to team silver.

She has since recovered and is adamant her European absence will be the exception and not the rule on her remaining international ambitions this year.

"I missed out on the European Championships with a stress fracture just above my pelvis - I was originally going but the doctors pulled me out," said Francis.

"The team came second, which was great and even though I didn't compete it seems as if we are getting better all the time and I am confident I will be part of the team again.

"I have the Commonwealth trials coming up and to be a part of that would be brilliant. I have had a few injuries recently but I seem to be fine at the moment.

"I am back training again so fingers crossed I will stay injury-free. I don't usually tend to set myself targets before event, it is just nice to be able to compete and represent my country."

Francis took time off from her recovery to have a behind the scenes tour of the Olympic Park in London, coinciding with the two years to go anniversary until London 2012 on July 27.

And despite missing out on the European Championships in the spring, Francis remains confident she will be representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics in less than two years' time.

"I feel on track to make the team for 2012 and just to be part of that team would make me so happy," said Francis. "And every competition we can do until then will be good practice.

Going to see the venues was great and it is crazy because I have been working towards this my whole life and it has always been my ultimate goal.

"But I don't dare to think about winning a medal just yet. I would go out and do my job and where it went from there. I will just go out and do my best - anything else is a bonus."

Visa is proud to be Presenting Partner of Team 2012, a team of 1,200 athletes across the UK who are aiming to compete at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For more information go to www.lifeflowsbetter.com