Louis Smith (gymnast)

Louis Smith 2012 balcony

Louis Smith (born 22 April 1989) is a retired British artistic gymnast who specialized in the pommel horse. He is one of the most successful British gymnasts in history, having won multiple medals at the Olympic Games, World Championships, and European Championships.

Early Life

Louis Smith was born in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, England. He began gymnastics at a young age and quickly showed promise in the sport. Smith attended Arthur Mellows Village College and later trained at the Huntingdon Gymnastics Club under coach Paul Hall.

Gymnastics Career

Junior Career

Smith's talent was evident early on, and he achieved significant success in junior competitions. He won the pommel horse title at the 2006 European Junior Gymnastics Championships and was a finalist in the all-around competition.

Senior Career

Smith made his senior debut in 2007 and quickly established himself as a leading gymnast on the pommel horse. He won his first major international medal, a bronze, at the 2007 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

2008 Beijing Olympics

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Smith won a bronze medal in the pommel horse event, becoming the first British gymnast to win an individual apparatus medal at the Olympics in over a century.

2012 London Olympics

Smith's most notable achievement came at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, where he won a silver medal in the pommel horse and a bronze medal in the team event. His performance helped elevate the profile of British gymnastics on the world stage.

2016 Rio Olympics

At the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Smith won another silver medal in the pommel horse, narrowly missing out on the gold to his teammate Max Whitlock.

World Championships

Smith has also been successful at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, winning multiple medals on the pommel horse. His consistency and skill have made him one of the top competitors in this event.

Retirement

Louis Smith announced his retirement from competitive gymnastics in 2018. Since retiring, he has pursued various interests, including television appearances and charity work.

Personal Life

Smith has been open about his struggles with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and has used his platform to raise awareness about the condition. He has also been involved in various charitable activities and has appeared on several television shows, including winning the 2012 series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Legacy

Louis Smith is widely regarded as one of the greatest British gymnasts of all time. His achievements have inspired a new generation of gymnasts in the UK and have contributed to the growing popularity of the sport.

See Also

• Max Whitlock
• Beth Tweddle
• Nile Wilson
• British Gymnastics