Lancashire gymnast hoping for Christmas miracle

Gymnastics officials are hoping for a miracle this Christmas in the Wyre town of Garstang in Lancashire, where the town’s star athlete is facing deportation early in the New Year.

Gymnast Hansol Kim was threatened with removal from the UK earlier this year by UK immigration authorities only to have the move suspended as a full investigation is undertaken into Kim’s place and relationship with her British foster family. The young star has hopes of representing Britain at the Olympic Games and local club bosses claim they are cautiously optimistic on the outcome of the case.

Hansol first joined the Garstang Gymnastics club five years ago as her parents, both from South Korea, studied at the University of Lancaster. They returned home at the completion of their studies but wished for their daughter to remain behind to carry on with her academic and gymnastic career. Hansol was placed in the foster care of Nateby based Janet Lavender who has two of her own children at the gym club.

Unfortunately, an apparent error in completing the necessary paperwork led to authorities from the UK Border Agency seeking her deportation in the summer, prompting a massive local campaign to keep the budding superstar in the UK – which has so far proved successful. The decision is expected to ultimately be decided by the evaluation of her care situation by social services. Despite her happy relationship with the Lavender family the young girl is still tearful of the uncertainty of her position.

The decision is expected in January, with the British Gymnastics Association going in to bat for Hunsol claiming that she is the brightest prospect they have seen for some time and hope that she will one day represent Britain.