A fire tore through Lynx Gymnastics Centre in Aylesbury on Thursday morning, causing severe damage to the facility. Flames were first reported at the Rabans Close site shortly before 09:00 BST on May 7, 2026. Thankfully, no children or customers were inside when the blaze broke out, and no one was hurt. Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service said the cause has not yet been confirmed. However, early signs point to the fire being accidental.

The news has hit the gymnastics community hard, including Olympic bronze medalists Jessica and Jennifer Gadirova. The twins, who won bronze at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, trained at Lynx for years. A British Gymnastics spokesperson said the sisters were "still processing" what had happened. 

In a video posted on Instagram, the twins said, “This gym has been our home for almost 10 years and has just celebrated its 40th anniversary. It is the heart of Aylesbury and means so much to us. This is the place that made us fall in love with gymnastics again when we lost that love when we were younger.”

World, European and Commonwealth medalist Ondine Achampong has also used the site during her career.

A GoFundMe page was launched on May 8 to help the club recover. So far, almost 700 donors have raised £22,026 of the £28,000 goal. The Gadirova twins have thrown their support behind the campaign, helping spread the word to fans and fellow athletes.

In their appeal, the club wrote: "For 40 years, Lynx Gymnastics Club has been at the heart of the Aylesbury community, supporting grassroots gymnastics, SEND families, children's parties, recreational athletes, and Olympic & Team GB gymnasts alike."

Founded in 1986, Lynx has been a fixture in Aylesbury for 40 years. Its members range from pre-schoolers and school-aged children to elite competitive gymnasts. Over 1,000 children and families walk through its doors every week.

When Will the Gym Reopen?

For now, there is no reopening date. The gym is closed until further notice, and owners say it is too early to know the full extent of the damage.

"We are reaching out to plead for as much help as possible during this devastating time," the club said. "Whether that is through sharing our message, offering support in any way you can, or contributing to future fundraising and rebuilding efforts that will help us get back on our feet."

Owners say a "lengthy process" lies ahead. "We will be working closely with the relevant authorities and assessing the situation over the coming days," they added, asking for patience during the rebuild.

Read more at the Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Sahil Prashar

Edited by

Sahil Prashar