Downie's delight at history-making bronze medal at Euros

Ellie Downie was struggling to take it all in after she made history by becoming the first British woman to win a major championships all-around medal in Montpellier, France.

Downie was awarded 56.623 points across the four apparatus and with it took home the bronze medal from the European Gymnastics Championships.

Giulia Steingruber of Switzerland took home gold while Russian Maria Kharenkova won silver, but there was no wiping the smile off Downie’s face.

Claudia Fragapane also excelled as she finished sixth, but there was no doubting who the star of the show was.

“It’s ridiculous! I can’t believe what’s just happened,” 15-year-old Downie said. “Coming in to the championships I was maybe hoping for top ten as it’s my first senior event and to win a medal is incredible.

“I’ve never felt so nervous going to vault - the final piece - even though it’s my strongest apparatus.

“I knew I was right up there in with a chance of a medal so to then land that safely was a huge relief, I just burst into tears.”

Fragapane added: “I’m really happy with the final placing. Having fallen on bars in qualification I adjusted that routine and was really happy to go through clean, on beam I had problem but floor and vault I could really express myself.

“I’m so happy for Ellie, she a great friend and she was amazing.”

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