The Queenslander’s fourth medal in 48 hours has catapulted her to stardom and within reach of equalling Allana Slater,who holds the career record for an Australian gymnast at the Commonwealth Games with eight medals.
The sport’s governing body last year apologised to athletes under its care who experienced abuse and vowed to investigate all matters of misconduct after the Australian Human Rights Commission published an independent review on the culture and practices of gymnastics in the country.
An emotional Godwin,who considered not competing in Birmingham because of slow recovery from dual ankle surgery late last year,said the revelations last year had troubled her,but she was confident the sport was now headed in the right direction.
“I do my best to try and show that gymnastics is a safe sport and that everyone should feel safe doing gymnastics,” she said. “And we’re heading in the right direction,so that is really exciting to see.”
Godwin,the team captain,said at 24 she saw herself “like a mother figure” to the younger gymnasts.
“I really just tried to take them under my wing and show them and what sportsmanship looks like,” she said.