English gymnastic stars Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova have been left without a training base after a fire destroyed the Lynx Gymnastics Center in Aylesbury, England.

A fire broke out on May 7, damaging the facility that has helped produce some of Britain's biggest gymnastics talents. The Gadirova twins had trained at the gym for almost a decade.

The twins credited the center for helping them rediscover their love for gymnastics during tough times. The Olympic bronze medalists highlighted its importance to the community and hailed it for fostering safe spaces for families and coaches.

"We are so sad to lose the gym," they wrote in a statement posted on Instagram and later reported by the Olympics.

They shared images and clips, showing extensive fire damage inside the gym. The full length of the rebuilding timetable is still not known.

“Everything changed overnight,” the twins wrote. “Lynx has been our home for nearly 10 years, and seeing it like this is heartbreaking.”

The twins also mentioned that they are trying to find a suitable training spot, while reiterating their resolve to rebuild the gym.

Lynx Gymnastics has also appealed to the public, as the club now has to rebuild its facility and training structure. The center has set up a GoFundMe campaign to aid athletes, staff, and families in their recovery.

“We are reaching out to plead for as much help as possible during this devastating time,” the club said in a statement reported by the BBC.

The timing of the fire has added another layer of uncertainty for British gymnasts already preparing for international competitions, including the 2028 Olympics.

Olympic Preparations Disrupted for Gadirova Twins and Other Gymnasts

The Gadirova twins have faced numerous problems before this mishap. 2022 World Champion Jessica Gadirova has been fighting injuries in recent years while trying to return to top-level competition. In 2024, she tore her anterior cruciate ligament and had to skip the Paris Olympics.

Her sister Jennifer Gadirova is also in recovery. The gymnast skipped the 2023 European Championships due to an ankle injury, which later required surgery. Like Jessica, she missed the 2024 Olympics after being unable to recover in time.

Both athletes must now train away from the place that served as a foundation for their Olympic careers. With just over two years left for LA 2028, the twins will aim to help rebuild Lynx Gymnastics and finish their recovery.

Read more at the Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Sijo Paul