US senior elite gymnast Laney Madsen has announced on Twitter that she will represent Bulgaria at international competitions and will participate at this year’s World Championships in Doha. Madsen’s mother, Didi Madsen is Bulgarian, so the gymnast has the required citizenship. Since she never was on the US national team, she does not need an approval from the FIG for a country change.
Beyond blessed and excited to pursue this journey on the Bulgarian National Team and compete at the 2018 World Championships in Doha, Qatar. Wow, as always, all glory going up to the one guiding me through this indescribable and special life!❤️ pic.twitter.com/HfPmTcIAvM
— Laney Madsen (@LaneyMadsen) June 11, 2018
Madsen is known among fans for her fascinating story of switching from cheerleading to gymnastics at the age of 13 after she realized she wanted to go to the Olympics. Madsen was and still is a successful competitive cheerleader, combining the two sports at the same time. In 2017, she qualified elite and competed at the US Classic but did score enough to qualify to nationals.
Her parents who are cheerleading and tumbling coaches are now trying to raise the money for Madsen to travel to Bulgaria and Qatar by holding tumbling clinics.
