Emma Slevin hoping to take next step with Olympic Games on the horizon

All the preparation is nearly over for gymnast Emma Slevin as she looks to qualify for next summer's Olympic Games in Paris.

The Claregalway 20-year-old knows what she has to do at the upcoming World Championships in Antwerp.

"This is the qualifier for the all-around in Paris next year," she says.

"In terms of getting there it's the top 14 in the individuals so that's what I'm hoping to achieve."

Preparations have gone well for Slevin, twin sister of Galway footballer and Athlone Town soccer player Kate, as she competed at a World Cup event in Paris earlier this month, having finished 31st at the European Championships in Turkey in April.

She takes part in four events in the all-around; the vault, bar, beams and floor.

"My favourite to compete in would be the bars. My least favourite is the floor, I just don't like it," she laughs.

Balance is a key theme for Slevin as she tries to find time for training but also for college and the social life that goes with it. She usually takes two gym sessions but the majority of her 28-hour-per-week schedule is made up of hands on training with the equipment.

Starting college has meant that Slevin has moved from Galway to Dublin where she's able to train at the National Gymnastics Training Centre on the Sports Ireland Campus.

Despite the big move, there was one big familiar following the switch across the country.

"Last year I got a new coach. Sally [Batley] moved to England so Chris [Muras] came in and was working with us in Galway but then he got appointed national coach.

"He moved to Dublin and so did I, so it worked out well. A few of my teammates from Galway have also moved up so to have them there is really nice."

From the brink of competing in this biggest competition of her gymnastics