Dr Lisa Gannon, Associate Professor in Professional Practice at Leeds Trinity University, used her specialist knowledge and experience in gymnastics to keep audiences at the Paris Olympic Games informed on what can be “a very complex sport”.

Dr Gannon, from Leeds Trinity’s School of Sport and Wellbeing, is a former Welsh and Great Britain international gymnast and was also a non-executive director (Education and Technical) at Welsh Gymnastics, the national governing body for gymnastics in Wales, where she spent seven years helping to drive the strategy and direction of the organisation. She is a gymnastics coach and, as part of her work at Leeds Trinity University, is researching the stress loads placed on the bodies of gymnasts during training to help shape safe and effective coaching practices.

Dr Gannon has travelled the world working as a sports commentator, host and presenter. She has covered 13 World Championships, five Commonwealth Games and four Olympic Games, including Paris 2024. Having been selected as the only official English-speaking Paris Olympics Gymnastics Commentator by the International Federation of Gymnastics and Local Organising Committee, Dr Gannon was once again responsible for explaining what was happening in the gymnastics events to those watching in the Bercy Arena — many of whom were unfamiliar with the finer details and intricacies of the sport.

Dr Gannon said: “As a commentator, my role is to try and simplify gymnastics. For people who aren’t regular watchers, it can appear to be a very complex sport due to factors such as execution scores, difficulty scores, and the men competing on six apparatus while women compete on four apparatus. Often, there are also lots of routines going on at the same time too. I try to make sense of all that by explaining who is doing what and indicating what their scores mean in terms of qualification and potential medals.

“It’s a role I’ve been doing for over 20 years, and I was honoured to be asked back again this year. After four Olympic Games, I’ve decided now is the time for me to take a step back from commentary so I can focus on my research activities, but providing context and key information on gymnastics is something I have really enjoyed and, hopefully, my insights enhanced the experience for those watching and helped them understand what everything meant.”

While covering this summer’s Games, Dr Gannon commentated on the performances of gymnasts including Max Whitlock of Team GB and Simone Biles of Team USA, who is widely considered the greatest gymnast of all time. She has also appeared on a number of media channels including BBC Radio 5 Live to share her thoughts and expertise.

Reflecting on her time in Paris, she added: “It was crazy from the moment I got there, but I wouldn’t have wanted to be anywhere else. The atmosphere was phenomenal, and, as ever, it was a privilege to watch the world’s best athletes perform up close. Seeing Simone Biles return to the Olympic arena to take the all-around title and being present at all British medal-winning gymnastic performances, including the gold for Bryony Page and bronze for Harry Hepworth from Leeds, were the standout moments for me.”

Dr Christopher Sellars, Head of School of Sport and Wellbeing at Leeds Trinity University, said: “Lisa’s experience in gymnastics is evident in her commentary, which added real value to the Paris Olympics. All her colleagues at Leeds Trinity University are so proud of the brilliant work she does.

“Students in the School of Sport and Wellbeing are fortunate that they can benefit from her practical knowledge of a range of roles within sport, helping them pursue and achieve their own career goals.”

For more information about the School of Sport and Wellbeing courses at Leeds Trinity, visit the University website.