How did you get involved in gymnastics?

When I was younger I was hyperactive and did lots of different sports including football and basketball. I started gymnastics because my brother used to do it. I was watching and messing around and the coach asked my mum if I was interested. I actually started a year before I was supposed to.

What age were you then?

Four years old. I don’t know what I did, but I must have been pretty good because the coach advised me to go on to a better club, and I’ve been there ever since.

What motivates you to do well in your chosen sport?

When I was younger a lot of people were better than me at gym. Because of my competitiveness, I wanted to be the best. It made me try harder, and I think it has shown in the long term that it has paid off. It’s also to do with having excellent coaches as well and having a great gym to work in.

What advice would you give to any young people who wanted to get into sport as a professional?

Enjoy what you do and find out where the good successful coaches are. The main thing as I said is just to enjoy it, because if you’re not enjoying it then you not going to do it.

What is your club like?

It’s been running about 30 years I think. I started off in school then moved to a gym. We have amazing staff who keep the place running. Unfortunately we have a four year waiting list for young people to start, so we’re trying to build a £4 million centre next door which can cater for the young talent. Then by the time 2012 comes we should have a full team of Olympians ready to go!

How did it feel when you won your medal at the Beijing Olympics?

I can’t really explain it. It’s such an amazing, overwhelming, honourable feeling. To think 15 years of hard work comes down to a 50 second pummel routine. It’s your defining moment and to finish clean on the landing was just amazing.

Did you know at the end of your routine that you had done enough to win a medal?

No, I made a little mistake. I had finished my routine, and then as I was strolling about the floor but my score was taking a minute to come up. I was thinking the judges could go either one way and take lots of marks off me or it’ll be alright, sweaty palms walking up and down, it was an anxious time.

What are your next goals?

I’m training for the European Championships in April, in Milan, which is the next big meet. Then the World Championships at the O2 in October.

What do you think about London Winter of Sport?

Really inspiring, you kind of get cut away from this kind of thing. I started off in a club like this, back in Peterborough where I’m from and you really miss being young, running around and being crazy. I think it’s really good to have these types of sessions.

Louis Smith was a Bronze medallist at the Beijing Olympics. View Louis Smith’s profile.