Pre-Olympic boost as Shatilov wins bronze

Gymnast Alex Shatilov gave himself a pre-Olympics boost by winning bronze in the floor exercise at the European Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Bern, Switzerland.

Hailed as Israel’s ‘greatest ever gymnast’, the 29-year-old secured his sixth medal at this event, having previously won bronze in 2009, 2012 and 2014, silver in 2011 and gold in 2013. He will be in Rio in the summer, for what will be his third consecutive Olympic Games.

Israeli Gymnastics Association chairman Ophir Pines-Paz said: “Shatilov proved for the countless time that he is the greatest Israeli gymnast of all-time and one of Israel’s greatest ever athletes. Alex lifts his performance when it matters most and will arrive at the Olympics in good form.”