#Glasgow2014: Silver Medal for Mitchell and Vivian

Western Australian Institute of Sport athletes Lauren Mitchell and Olivia Vivian have won silver medals in the team final at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games.

Heading into Day 2 of competition, Australia (83.882) trailed England (85.390) narrowly on the score board, having yet to compete on their two strongest apparatus. Their gold medal push however, was derailed by a shaky start on floor, with Georgia Rose Brown (11.066) and Larissa Miller (12.166) both suffering falls as England found breathing space with a strong set of displays, highlighted by Claudia Fragapane’s 14.733 to win team gold and claim Commonwealth bragging rights.

With Australia struggling early, Lauren Mitchell stepped up to perform a stunning floor routine, collecting a score of 14.100 which ranked her second and qualified her for the individual apparatus final.

Mitchell was followed by WA teammate Olivia Vivian, who solidified Australia’s claims for silver, with a well crafted and beautifully executed floor routine for a score of 13.166.

Mitchell and Vivian’s floor routines proved invaluable as the Australian team struggled to find comfort on beam, despite Mitchell posting the second highest score of 13.966. Vivian contributed 11.266, but had more than made her mark for Australia on her favoured bars and floor.

Mitchell’s total earned her qualification for the individual beam final, with the silver medal in team, giving her a total of six career Commonwealth Games medals.

If Mitchell can medal on floor and beam, she can match the Western Australian record of eight Commonwealth medals, held by former gymnast Allana Slater.

Mitchell’s individual campaign commences on August 1, with the beam final at 9.48pm, followed by floor from 11.24pm.

Australia’s final total of 161.646 trailed England’s gold medal total of 167.555, with Wales winning an historic bronze, on 160.095 ahead of the more fancied Canada in fourth (159.563).