LONDON: Three-time Olympic medallist Louis Smith announced on Tuesday that he has returned to training with a view to competing for England at this year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

The 24-year-old has not taken part in a major competition since winning a silver medal on the pommel horse for Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.

He subsequently took a break from the sport to pursue other activities, notably winning televised celebrity dancing competition Strictly Come Dancing in 2012.

However, explaining his decision to return to gymnastics, he said: “I always said that everything that I was working on was geared towards 2012 and when I achieved what I did at the London Olympics, within myself I believed that I had taken part in my last ever competition in the sport.

“However, recently my feelings have started to change. I loved commentating at the World Championships in October. However, there was a large part of me that felt I should be competing.

“I know what I’m still capable of when I’m in peak condition. I believe I can very much compete amongst the best in the world and challenge for medals.”—AFP