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Guest Blog Post: Oakley Banks on his EYOF Experience
Oakley Banks at The European Youth Olympic Festival
I’m Oakley Banks and I recently competed at the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF). I’m going to share a little run through of what happened over the week I was there…
Getting our GB Kit
On Thursday 21st July we finished training at South Essex Gymnastics Club and travelled to a Premier Inn hotel at Heathrow for the night, where the whole EYOF team got their Team GB kit.
GB Artistic Gymnasts at EYOF. Back row L-R: Danny Crouch, Oakley Banks and Reuben Ward. Front row L-R: Ruby Evans, Abi Martin and Evie Flage-Donovan
A long travel day
On Friday 22nd July we started early around 3am and travelled to the airport where the whole team got their own check-in desk to make sure that everything ran smoothly. We flew into Vienna, Austria, and travelled to a national centre called the X bionic sphere for training.
Headed to the Banska Olympic Village
On Saturday 23rd July we travelled to the Olympic village in Banská, Slovakia after training. It was amazing: so many buildings, catering areas and athletes all from different sports. It felt like an actual senior Olympic Games.
Team GB at EYOF, consisting of 40 athletes competing in badminton, cycling, gymnastics, judo, and swimming. Oakley is far right on the second row. Photo: Team GB.
Podium Training and the Opening Ceremony
Sunday 24th July was a huge day for me, Danny and Reuben. We had podium training, which is where we do routines on the apparatus and get a feel for what the competition will be like. This went smoothly and I was very happy and excited to get going. We also had the opening ceremony before the competition starts. It felt so real to be there and enjoy the experience
The EYOF Opening Ceremony in Banska. 'It felt so real to be there'. Photo: Banská Bystrica TV.
Rest Day
Monday 25th July was a relaxed day: we had light training in the gym and made sure to get enough rest ahead of the competition. The girls team had podium training and we made sure to check in with them and see how they were doing.
The Stadium of Artistic Gymnastics Banská, a multi-sport stand and originally one of the oldest indoor hockey stadiums in Slovakia, famous for its unique roof structure. Photo: EYOF.
Competition Day
Tuesday 26th July was the big day! Today was the all-around and team final for me, Danny and Reuben. We started super strong on pommel and hit our routines clean, without hesitation. The comp went perfectly for us: we left everything we could possibly do out there and we made sure that our scores could be in for a medal. I was nervous with anticipation, not knowing what the results would be, but we all waited and hoped with our coaches Jake and Andre. The scores came in and we were 2nd as a team!!! It was like no other feeling I’ve ever felt. I was over the moon and the team jumped up and down and had nothing but pride. This day was the best day of the whole experience knowing we had that medal around our neck.
Team GB's victorious MAG squad Oakley, Danny and Reuben wearing their silver medals. Photo: Oakley Banks.
Still buzzing
Wednesday 27th July was a rest day and we were still buzzing from yesterday’s competition! We trained and watched the girls compete.
Close-up of Oakley's silver medal. The logo on the left-hand side of the medals symbolises victory and was designed by local graphic designer Marián Dieneš. Photo: Oakley Banks.
Scoping the Competition
From Thursday 28th – Saturday 30th July, we got to watch mixed pair Danny crouch and Abi Martin compete. This was amazing to see as it was a new concept in the gymnastics industry, we then watched the apparatus finals and the girls too. Watching other competitors routines and reflecting on what I need to do to get my scores slightly higher to make the finals gave me a lot of motivation to improve. There was bad weather during the EYOF closing ceremony and only Danny and Ruby Evans attended in person, but we watched along on the live stream.
Heading Home
On Sunday 31st July we had to leave the athlete’s village to go home. All in matching kit, we took a 3-hour coach ride to the airport. We were greeted by our parents and the media and parents who cheered us through which felt incredible! The whole trip felt quick but so amazing and If I could do it again I totally would.
Arriving home to more celebrations and training for The European Championships. Photo: Oakley Banks.
Back to Work for the Junior Europeans.
On Monday 1st August I was straight back in the gym and getting ready for the Junior European Championships in Munich, Germany starting 19th August.
Thank You Gymnastic Planet
I would like to thank Gymnastic planet for the support over the games as the week before my guards snapped due to the heat! They supported me and got spare guards sent out to me in time for the competition. I can’t thank them enough!
Well done to Oakley and the whole team for their brilliant performances at the European Olympic Youth Festival! Best of luck at the Junior Europeans.
