By Elise Julian
Georgia Godwin has already etched her name into Australian gymnastics history. Now, she’s ready to write another chapter in Glasgow after overcoming the biggest setback of her career.
The 28-year-old returns for her third Commonwealth Games after a ruptured Achilles tendon derailed her Paris 2024 Olympic dream and threatened to end her career.
Now back in the green and gold, Godwin will compete at her first major international event since the devastating injury, bringing with her the resilience that has defined her road to Glasgow.
“In May of 2024, I was building up to the Paris Olympics and ruptured my Achilles doing a tumble on floor and floor is my favourite apparatus, so it was extremely heartbreaking,” Godwin said when speaking to Channel 7.
“Sport can sometimes be cruel. I did a tumbling pass that I had been doing since I was 12, I landed it and felt extreme pain, and I realised that I wasn’t going to Paris.”
The injury forced Godwin to watch the Olympic Games from afar, beginning a lengthy rehabilitation that tested her physically, mentally and emotionally.
Throughout that journey, she found comfort in the little things.
After her injury, Godwin welcomed a Border Collie named Remy into her life, crediting him with helping her through some of her darkest days.
While she’s away from her home in Canberra, another unlikely companion has been keeping her grounded – a small plant, sitting appropriately in a koala pot, that she picked up during Australia’s staging camp before Glasgow.
Those small reminders of home have helped steady one of Australia’s most decorated artistic gymnasts as she prepares for another Commonwealth Games campaign.
An eight-time Commonwealth Games medallist, Godwin arrives in Glasgow with the opportunity to further cement her legacy.
Her remarkable Birmingham 2022 campaign yielded five medals, including all-around gold, seeing her draw level with Australian great Allana Slater as the nation’s most decorated artistic gymnast at the Games.
“Birmingham was completely unexpected. One thing led to another, and I had five medals under my belt,” she said.
With multiple apparatus titles and all-around medals already to her name, Godwin will once again be one of Australia’s leading medal hopes.
But after everything she has endured, success in Glasgow is measured by more than medals.
“I’m really glad at the age of 28 I’m still able to do this sport that I love,” she said.
“I’ve learnt to cherish each moment and every opportunity I get to wear the green and gold.”
Godwin will first step out onto the floor at Glasgow 2026 in the Women’s Artistic Gymnastics team final alongside teammates Kate McDonald, Emily Whitehead, Breanna Scott and Ruby Pass on Saturday 25 July, 3:20am AEST.
