Medal successes aside, it is the way they performed that has stood out.

The togetherness shown by the teams, whether that was cheering each other on in performance or creating TikTok dances, uniting as a Band of Brothers with an arm around the shoulder or a word of consolation after a fall. The feeling of team camaraderie and fun was clear across all the teams.

We know our elite athletes are professionals, they take their career very seriously. But that success and commitment does not need to come at the expense of well-being, enjoyment, and friendship.

This to us is what is meant by winning well, which UK Sport has put at the heart of its mission.

An inspirational Games and the pure joy of gymnastics

There is always something about having a Commonwealth Games at home and, wow, Birmingham put on a brilliant Games - from an Opening Ceremony that highlighted the incredible diversity of the region, and the manufacturing history of the city to the brilliant cultural edge it has... It was certainly a "Brum thing". Even Birmingham's famous bull featured, brought to life as Perry the lively and engaging mascot.

The crowds at gymnastics were immense, unleashed after a pandemic. With St George's flags, daffodils, tartan outfits and a green army, the home nations transcended on the arena and made it cauldron of sound and colour. The support for every single competitor was palpable. They encouraged and lifted those that had fallen, clapped and sang along with the music and celebrated winners with pure joy.

The spectacular strength, grace and skill of gymnastics was displayed at its very best. Outside of the arena, I was delighted to see young children cartwheeling through Victoria Square and performing handstands at the photo backgrounds. Watched by younger children in awe of the skills on display, this is the pure joy of gymnastics, beyond the gyms and arenas. I am sure there will have been so many young people, whether involved in gymnastics or not, who will have been inspired by these performances and gymnasts.

Creating more memories in Munich

The uplifting joy of the Games in Birmingham was swiftly followed by the Artistic European Championships in Munich last week. Taking place in what is a truly iconic venue for our sport - it was where Olga Korbut became the star of the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, capturing the public imagination with her charismatic and daring performances - this year’s event created its own share of moments and memories. The jeopardy of the competition format for the team events, where three gymnasts performed on each apparatus and all counted, made it thrilling but at times very tense viewing.

Those of you that saw it will remember the women’s vault final in Munich was extraordinarily difficult to watch as not one, but two gymnasts from Italy and Belgium experienced serious injuries. Injuries happen at this level of sport and it is something we hate to see, but the reaction of the British medical team to rush to the aid of a gymnast from another country was a wonderful sight to behold. We are fortunate that, thanks to the National Lottery, our British team receive such world-class support from the English Institute of Sport when they are training and competing.

I am proud of the team behind the gymnasts and the work that goes into these results, hours spent in the gym with personal and national coaches perfecting technique and performance, artistry and choreography, sessions with strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, nutritionist consultations, sports psychologists and so many other experts.

It is time to dispel the myth that gymnasts must be young

The reception for German gymnast, Kim Bui, who retired following her final Bars performance was very emotional, I can only imagine how that must have felt for her. It is time, once and for all, to dispel the myth that gymnasts must be young. We need to embrace strong, incredible women competing into their 30s. And for Kim to have achieved the exceptional career she has while also completing a Master of Science degree is truly inspirational.

Kim was also part of the German team whose unitards have been a strong expression of the importance of choice. The choice to select a leotard or a unitard for training and competition is one for the gymnast to make - we will always protect that choice and our policies back that up. 

A future that puts gymnasts at the heart of everything we do

We understand that this is a moment in time, and we must not take away from these wonderful moments for gymnasts and coaches. However, we understand the failures from the past and will not shy away from the reform that is necessary for our sport. A career in sport is not an easy one, but I believe it can and should be rewarding, positively challenging and all athletes should be able to look back at the end of their career and feel it had a positive impact on their life. The Whyte Review has already been the catalyst to change, and reform will continue.

We're excited about the future of British Gymnastics, one that puts gymnasts at the heart of everything we do and delivers meaningful change. We're in the final stages of agreeing our plan to respond to the Whyte Review’s recommendations with UK Sport and Sport England, and we'll be sharing that plan shortly. We're developing proactive communications to inform and empower the community on key policies, guidance and new norms for the sport. We’re also making significant improvements in our coach education and supporting welfare officers much more, along with working with others to scope plans for coach registration and licensing.

In an interview following the Commonwealth Games, Jake Jarman spoke of how he got into gymnastics purely by a chance meeting with a coach who saw him on the monkey bars at the park, how he has loved gymnastics from then on and was inspired by Louis Smith at London 2012. There will certainly be many children who will have been inspired to take part in gymnastics following the wonderful performances of the summer. If your child would like to have a go and you are in Britain, visit British Gymnastics Discover to find a gymnastics class near you.

We are committed to playing our part in creating a bright future for the sport and all who are involved in it. The gymnastics we have seen in Birmingham and Munich this summer have not just been a tremendous showcase for the sport, but also a demonstration of what can be achieved when the focus is not on winning, but on winning well.