Jessica GADIROVA

Jessica Gadirova was born in Dublin to Azerbaijani parents who had moved temporarily to Ireland from London. Aged six, she and twin sister Jennifer started out in gymnastics with both going on to win medals at Olympic Games and World Championships.

Jessica Gadirova: A European breakthrough

Jessica Gadirova won a number of competitions as a junior before joining the senior ranks at 19 in 2020.

The COVID-19 pandemic delayed her international debut but she quickly made up for lost time with three medals - including floor gold - at the 2021 European Championships in Basel, Switzerland.

Jessica Gadirova: Olympic medallist for Team GB

Despite her lack of senior international experience, Gadirova was named to Great Britain's Olympic team for the delayed Tokyo 2020 Games alongside sister Jennifer.

In Tokyo, she made the all-around and floor finals and helped Great Britain qualify for the team final. Jessica Gadirova excelled on vault and floor in the team final as Britain took bronze, the nation's first medal in the competition since Amsterdam 1928. She was 10th in the all-around and took fifth place on floor.