WELSH rhythmic gymnast Frankie Jones insists she couldn’t have asked for a better start to life in the capital after finally getting her London 2012 assault under way today.

The 21-year-old, whose dad is from Pontypool, is Great Britain’s sole representative in the individual all-round competition, with day one showcasing her talent with the hoop and ball.

And Jones put in two strong routines with both to place her 21st out of the 24 entrants, needing to finish in the top ten after tomorrow's clubs and ribbon routines to advance to Saturday’s final.

But Jones is adamant her debut Olympics is never going to be about the end result, with her just eager to taste the highest level of competition possible.

And despite showcasing her talent with the hoop when winning Commonwealth Games silver in Delhi in 2010, Jones admits she is relieved to get that apparatus out of the way early and remain unscathed.

“I am really happy,” she said. “I am not really going for placings and I just want to be happy and content with my routines, and I am, so that is great.

“The hoop was actually my most nervous piece as this year it has been my worst apparatus so I am really glad to have that one done now.

“The ball is my favourite and the hoop was the one I wanted to get over with quickly so it was quite a good way to start the competition for me. All I can do is try my best and that is what I am doing. I gave it my all and I have done all the training so what happens happens. But this was a good start and I am now looking forward to the rest of the competition.”

While London 2012 kicked into action at the end of last month, Jones had to patiently wait until day 13 to make her bow.

And after what seemed like an age, Jones insists it was well worth the wait.

“It had been so long just waiting to get started so it is just amazing to finally have competed now and it was great,” she added.

“I just want to keep all the younger gymnasts inspired and keep them into it and get them into training so we can carry on to Rio.”

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