FORMER Bury Grammar School pupil Mark Freeman is swinging back into action - against the odds.

The 19-year-old gymnast was advised by the medical men to retire from the sport after breaking his thumb but he now has his sights set firmly on becoming an Olympic champion.

Unfortunately, Mark is having to leave the country to fulfil his ambition after he confirmed he plans to move to an American University in an attempt to become a future gold medal.

Doctors told Mark to retire when he broke a thumb in training four years ago but the determined Mark still made a comeback despite having a wrist operation and being told his bones have become too brittle for the rigours of top class competition.

Mark is being chased by four top University's across the pond and the head coach at Berkeley has even applied for a government grant so he can offer him a full scholarship.

In 2002, Mark became the first British gymnast to win gold at a junior European championship.

Then he was picked to represent Britain at the world championships in California last year.

He was one of the youngest ever athletes in the team and got Britain's joint highest score with 9.6 on the rings.