“For as long as I could remember, the Tokyo Olympics has been my dream,” said eighth generational Caymanian Raegan Rutty whose dreams are now coming true.
The 19-year-old, who has been training in gymnastics since the age of four years old earned a tripartite award from Tripartite Commission, gaining the right to compete at this year’s Olympic Games and setting her place in history to become Cayman’s first gymnast at the biggest event known to sports.
“I always wanted to be the Cayman Islands first ever Olympic gymnast,” she stated in a social media post. “I knew if I wanted to achieve this goal, I would have to make many sacrifices.”
Rutty took a leap of faith five years ago in pursuit of this milestone, leaving Motions Unlimited in Cayman and moving to Texas where she has trained under Grace Gymnastics.
“I left my country, my home, my family and friends to begin training in Texas under Johnnie and Eddie [Umphrey],” she said. “I can vividly remember crying in my bedroom because of how homesick and lonely I was; ready to give up on my dream. I knew that one day all of the blood, sweat and tears would be worth it.”
Rutty went on to thank several persons including the Cayman Islands Olympic Committee and the Cayman Islands Gymnastics Federation for allowing her to have this opportunity.
She urges young up and comers to never limit themselves. “To all of the kids out there with dreams bigger than themselves- never be afraid to chase after your dreams, to fail or to try,” she said. “Believe in yourself and know that you can achieve anything you put your mind to.”
Raegan is scheduled to travel next month, and will compete as an all-rounder (vault, bars ,floor and beam).
Cay 3 Sports 