Aberdeen O’Driscoll, an 18-year-old gymnast from Léglise, has taken a significant step in her career by moving to the United States to train. This transition fulfills her childhood dream and leverages her dual heritage, as her father is American. The move provides her with access to top-notch facilities and training environments for various sports, including gymnastics, where she seeks to further her development.
O’Driscoll began her gymnastics journey at the Wardin club and later trained at the Mons High Performance Centre and Topsport in Ghent. Her career highlights include a 12th-place finish at the 2022 European Junior Championships and representing Belgium at the senior European Championship in 2023. However, a back injury—lumbar spondylolisthesis—has sidelined her from major competitions, including the World Championships in Antwerp and the Olympic qualification process. Despite this, she is optimistic about her recovery and continues to manage her condition with regular physiotherapy.
She now trains under renowned French coach Cécile Canqueteau-Landi, known for her work with Olympic champion Simone Biles. This opportunity arose after changes within the University of Georgia’s gymnastics program, where Canqueteau replaced Courtney Kupets-Carter as head coach. O’Driscoll is part of the Georgia GymDogs, a team with a rich history but recent struggles. The program hopes to reclaim its championship status after a decade-long drought.
Adjusting to collegiate gymnastics, O’Driscoll is navigating the challenges of reduced training hours mandated by university rules, although she has received a waiver to train slightly more. She emphasizes the high intensity of sessions, which compensate for fewer hours. The NCAA competition, with its team-focused spirit, is her immediate focus. Although she hasn’t set specific goals, the 2028 Olympics, to be held in the U.S., remain on her radar.
Living on campus, O’Driscoll enjoys the privileges afforded to student-athletes but stays connected to her roots, maintaining regular contact with her family and the Belgian national team. She reassures that her progress is monitored by Belgian coaches, ensuring she remains within the national team’s framework.
Currently undecided on her academic major, O’Driscoll is exploring options, leaning toward sciences but keeping her first year broad. As she balances her academic and athletic aspirations, she remains determined to excel both in the collegiate setting and on the international stage.