A Richmond gymnast is hoping a starring role in the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony can see her sport become part of the Olympic programme.

Richmond Gymnastics Association’s Heather Cowell, 18, and Abdullah Izziden, 20, were invited to showcase tumbling in Glasgow on Wednesday.

And Cowell, who recently finished her A levels at Richmond College, hopes thier role leads to bigger things.

“It is a great privilege to be able to exhibit a sport I enjoy so much at an amazing global sporting event,” said the 2013 tumbling world champion.

“With more exposure for tumbling gymnastics and acrobatic gymnastics at such events, I hope we will see both disciplines shortly included in the Commonwealth and Olympic Games.”