AN Olympic gymnast held a coaching clinic at a Gwent gymnastics academy last week.

Hannah Whelan, 22, represented Great Britain at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games.

Ms Whelan has won three European medals, and in 2014 was the bronze medallist in the all-around category at the Commonwealth Games. She is a four-time British senior champion and specialised on the balance beam.

Now retired, Ms Whelan has turned her attention towards coaching and held a four-hour clinic at Valleys Gymnastics Academy in Crumlin last Friday.

The clinic came about after Ms Whelan, from Stockport, put a call-out to gymnastic clubs across the UK on Twitter.

She said: “Everyone was so welcoming and the kids were really great. I took them on the warm-up I used to do and pushed them a bit.

“I didn’t think I’d go straight into coaching but I wanted to give back to the sport and I really enjoy it. I understand what they all go through.

“I don’t miss the training but I’ve been doing gymnastics since the age of six and I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully walk away.”

Dawn Jarman, the academy’s welfare officer, said: “Hannah was great and even had a private session with Seren Thomas, our 12-year-old artistic gymnast.

“The kids had seen her at the Commonwealth Games so to meet her in the flesh was fantastic for them.

“She was very hands-on and gave our gymnasts tips on leaps and elements on the beam.

“We’re hoping to book her again.”