The desire to escape to the circus is a longstanding fantasy. Historically, it represented a romantic notion of fleeing one’s problems. However, it’s uncommon for someone to realize this dream while adorned with an Olympic gold medal.
Bryony Page is poised to change that narrative. As soon as she executed a magnificent routine, becoming the first British trampolinist to claim the top spot on the Olympic podium, she began discussing her aspiration of performing with Cirque du Soleil.
At 33, Page had previously secured a silver medal—Britain’s first medal of any kind in trampoline—during the Rio 2016 Olympics and a bronze at the Tokyo 2021 Games. She fulfilled her collection in front of her family, including her parents and boyfriend, who were present at the venue in the southern suburbs of Paris.
Following her triumph, she connected with her grandmother, Mary, in Devon via a television link set up beside the arena. Page expressed how significant her grandmother was to her, even naming her cat after her.
To clarify, the cat is not named Mary, but Grandma.
Bryony Page won a gold medal for Team GB in a trampolining event at Paris 2024 on Friday
Page, 33 from Crewe, is the first British trampolinist ever to become an Olympic champion
Page expressed her passion for the sport, stating she aimed to compete in Los Angeles in 2028, with an eye on Brisbane in 2032. Yet, she also has her sights set on Cirque du Soleil, the renowned circus group known for their dazzling acrobatic shows in Las Vegas and around the world.
‘If they still want me,’ Page remarked, ‘I would love to perform. It has been a dream of mine for a long time, and as I’m not getting any younger, it would be fantastic to embrace that opportunity while I am still strong and healthy.’
‘I have additional skills to display; I wish to break through the barriers. My involvement with Cirque du Soleil will depend on how it unfolds. If I can secure a temporary contract and enjoy it, I might consider staying longer.’
‘However, if I feel I haven’t maximized my chances in the Olympics, I will return. I hope they’ll still want me after LA, and I’ll still be in the conversation. My love for this sport remains strong, and if I’m happy and healthy, you might still see me competing for several more cycles.’
Her performance at the Bercy Arena was nothing short of breathtaking, shattering the expectations of the favored Chinese and Russian gymnasts in the Women’s Trampoline event.
Despite qualifying fifth for the final held on Friday, Page noted she had a sense this was where she would ultimately place. She encouraged herself, focusing on thinking bigger.
Page was visibly overcome with emotion when it became official that she had won the gold
Page had previously won individual silver in Rio in 2016 and individual bronze in Tokyo in 2021
She performed second to last in the eight-woman final, and as Page approached the trampoline, she noticed that defending Olympic champion Zhu Xueying from China was already in tears, recognizing that she had not met the mark. Page seized the opportunity, soaring above 25 feet into the air repeatedly while executing a series of jaw-dropping somersaults, pikes, and tucks.
Similar to her American counterpart Simone Biles, Page has faced ‘lost moves syndrome’ or ‘the twisties,’ a challenge where gymnasts lose their spatial awareness while airborne. Page has navigated through it: ‘The mental block occurred a while back,’ she reflected. ‘It sometimes resurfaces. All athletes encounter the anxiety of injury in trampolining and we must confront that fear.’
‘Trampolining is both exhilarating and demanding; it requires courage. Overcoming my mental block was difficult, as I couldn’t perform the skills I desired. I was fiercely determined, pushing through because of my love for the sport and my desire to regain my former level of performance without regrets.’
Located in Sheffield, Page executed her 10 moves in approximately 20 seconds, aiming to land as close to the center of the trampoline bed, which measures 16 feet long and 10 feet wide.
As she looked up at the massive screen, anticipating her score, it flashed the judges’ score of 56.480 points, securing her the top position. She fell to her knees in disbelief at the center of the arena.
Page finished ahead of Viyaleta Bardzilouskaya (left) and Canada’s Sophiane Methot (right)
The three medalists pictured posing for a group selfie on the Olympic podium on Friday
She later revealed that she had momentarily forgotten there was still one competitor remaining, believing for an instant that she had already secured the gold.
Fortunately for Page, Hu Yicheng, who had qualified ahead of her, buckled under the pressure of going last and fell off the edge of the trampoline during her routine. Page’s celebrations began anew.
After the Chinese gymnasts spoke to the media, visibly upset and defeated, Page entered the mixed zone and shared that although she had won every Olympic medal color, her ambitions did not end there.
‘I’ve still got more that I want to achieve,’ she stated. ‘While my Olympic journey feels complete, the idea of competing in LA is still present, so anything from now on will feel like an incredible bonus. I’m sorry, but I still can’t quite believe it.’
