Fans are loving the gymnastics at the European Athletics Championships. However, many fans are wondering – who is veteran gymnastics BBC commentator Christine Still? Here’s what we know.
Christine Still is a long-time BBC commentator and gymnastic coach. She was honoured at the British Gymnastics National Awards in 2019 for her outstanding contribution to the sport.
Still has been part of the gymnastics community for over 44 years, and was awarded the Frank Edmonds trophy for her incredible commitment to gymnastics.
More on Christine Still’s career
She originally started her career as a head coach at Loughton Gymnastics Club back in 1972. Now she works as the head coach of the Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club where she has been since 1990.
Still also runs the Elite programme for future Olympians and has coached multiple former Commonwealth, European and Olympic athletes. She has said that coaching brings her the most joy:
“I have been a gymnastic coach all my life. The challenge and rewards have never dimmed for me. The pleasure in helping a child or young adult succeed in achieving something they thought was beyond them is quite special.”
Christine Still has been married to her husband Colin Still for many years. He is currently a national coach at the British Gymnastics Association, where he has worked since 2002.
Which gymnast does Christine Still coach?
Christine Still coaches GB athlete Alice Kinsella alongside Brett Ince at the Park Wrekin Gymnastics Club.
Alice Kinsella qualified for, and competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. During the team final she performed on all four apparatuses, hitting all of her routines, helping Team GB to the bronze medal.
At the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Kinsella led Team England to gold during the women’s team final. She followed that up by finishing fourth in the balance beam final and winning gold in the floor exercise.
At the European Championships a week later, the 21-year-old won silver in the all-around and helped Team England to a second place finish in the team final.
How long has she been commentating on gymnastics?
Christine Still is a veteran of British Gymnastics and has been commentating on the Olympics for the past six Olympic Games.
She often commentates alongside Matt Baker and Craig Heap, as well as the late Mitch Fenner.
What even are you most excited for in this year’s Games? Let us know in the comments below!
