OLYMPIC TRAMPOLINISTS DYLAN & MADDIE 'WE'R E HEAD OVER HEELS!

Don't call it a rebound romance - these high-flying gymnasts have found a relationship based on mutual respect

- Suzanne McFadden

While soaring to new heights on a trampoline, Dylan Schmidt and Maddie Davidson have tumbled head over heels for each other! As they prepare for next month's Olympic Games in Paris, the gymnasts are opening up for the first time about their romance, which has blossomed since they both represented New Zealand in trampolining at the Games in Tokyo, where Dylan won a surprise bronze medal.

While they have different interests away from their sport former Celebrity Treasure Island star Dylan loves playing golf and hunting, while Maddie is a talented baker - they share a mutual understanding of the pressures of competing on the world stage.

"We both know what it's like to make one tiny mistake that can cost you a place in the final or a medal," says Dylan, 27, who will be bouncing into his third Olympics in July.

The long-distance duo live, work and train 700km apart Dylan's based in Auckland and Maddie's in Christchurch - but the Games will bring them together for over a month.

They'll compete on the same day at France's Bercy Arena, with Maddie up first. She'll then cheer on her boyfriend four hours later.

"It's great we can be there and support each other when we compete," says Maddie, 25.

"We get nervous for each other." She adds that they have one important rule - that their relationship can never get in the way of trampolining.

"We've been clear about that from the get-go - our number-one focus has to be competition. It's worked well for us so far."

Although they've known each other for over a decade, their romance only became serious last year. And it certainly wasn't love at first sight Maddie was just 11 and Dylan 13 when they met.

"The first overseas tour we were both on was my first world championships in Australia in 2011," recalls Maddie. "We had different friend groups because I was 11. I was still in my very awkward 'not talking to boys' stage."