Ohio Democrat shows off gymnastics skills in Olympics-themed campaign ad

Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-Ohio) launched an ad campaign Friday to coincide with the opening of the Summer Olympics in Paris, as the first-term Democrat faces down a competitive race in Northeast Ohio.

The ad features video of the congresswoman making a flip off a balance beam. She was a state champion gymnast in her youth and competed in the Junior Olympics.

“They’ll twist anything to scare you,” Sykes said of her GOP opponent and his backers, “But the only thing that will stick, is my landing.”

The five-figure ad campaign will run online during the first week of the Olympics starting Friday, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) said.

“Emilia Sykes has spent her entire career bringing people together to deliver for her community. Her record speaks for itself, and in the Birthplace of Champions voters know she will always put working families first,” campaign spokesperson Maddie Summers said in a statement. “The Olympics is an opportunity to put politics aside and come together to root for American excellence and this ad is an opportunity to showcase another champion for Northeast Ohio.”

Sykes faces GOP challenger Kevin Coughlin in November, in a race that Cook Political Report classified as a “toss up.”

On the floor of the House on Thursday, Sykes celebrated the three Olympians her district is sending to Paris: basketball stars LeBron James and Steph Curry and BMX freestyle athlete Marcus Christopher.

Updated 10:48 a.m.

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