High hopes for Aussie Olympic gymnasts

Long-time national coach Peggy Liddick believes Australia is finally poised to nab its first artistic gymnastics medal at an Olympic Games.

Liddick named a six-woman team on Monday, spearheaded by WA's three-time national champion Daria Joura, which is tipped to challenge gymnastics superpowers Russia and Romania for bronze in Beijing in August.

China and the USA appear to have a mortgage on the gold and silver medals but Liddick is confident Australia's new-look line-up of Olympic first-timers is capable of cracking third place.

"On paper, USA and China have the numbers. Russia and Romania are very strong, but we're right up there," Liddick said.

"If we can turn those stats that we have into reality on the day, we're in contention for that bronze medal."

Australia's all-teenage team comprises 18-year-old Joura, fellow West Australians Lauren Mitchell, 16, and Olivia Vivian, 18, and Victorian trio Shona Morgan, Ashleigh Brennan, both 17, and Georgia Bonora, 18.

Joura was an automatic selection after scoring over 120 points in the all-around competition at the final round of selection trials at the AIS in Canberra at the weekend.

Liddick had the onerous task of trimming a squad of nine back to six, plus one reserve spot which went to Victorian Emma Dennis.

"I feel that we have picked the strongest team," Liddick said.

"The bottom line was their potential to contribute to the team score and, if all else was equal there, we had to go with international experience.

"I think we have a pretty good vaulting team. I think our strength is that we don't really have a weak apparatus - we're good on all four.

"We're not world beaters on any one, but we're good and consistent on all four."

Along with Sam Simpson (men's artistic), Ben Wilden (men's trampoline) and Naazmi Johnston (rhythmic), Gymnastics Australia will officially nominate the women's artistic team to the AOC for Beijing selection on Friday.