Olympics: Tweddle paving the way for the new generation

BETH Tweddle insists the next generation of British gymnasts are ready to step into her shoes when she heads into the sunset following the Beijing Olympics.

A rib injury means the former Crewe and Nantwich gymnast will only compete on the individual bars and floor as well as in the team event in China before she takes a curtain call at next year's World Championships in London.

The 23-year-old became the first Brit ever to win a world gold and she believes she has paved the way for the likes of Becky Downie and Hannah Whelan to conquer on the international stage.

"A lot has changed since I first started competing," said Tweddle, who takes her place in team qualifying for Artistic Gymnastics on Sunday. "The belief both in myself and the rest of the girls has shot up and they have realised we can go and compete for a medal.

"It is not just a case of going to a World Championships or Olympics for the experience – we are now going there to win medals.

"For the first time there were quite a few of us trying out for the Olympics, which was hard because we had to leave quite a few people at home which shows the strength and depth of the team.

"A few years ago most coaches would have been doing full-time jobs and trying to coach their elite athletes. Now a lot of them are just elite coaches for getting us to games like this.

"I don't think it will be long before we do get gold in the Olympics. There are a lot of kids coming through that are really promising for 2012.

"It is just a case of keeping them in the sport long enough to see the results."

Tweddle has come a long way since she first came through the doors of Crewe and Nantwich club as a talented seven-year-old.

After debuting on the international scene in 2001 her real high point came when she finished 2006 as world, European and World Cup champion on the uneven bars.

The one thing missing from her collection is an Olympic medal. But Tweddle – who will take a foundation course in physiotherapy at Liverpool University later this year – maintains she will exit with her head held high regardless of what happens in Beijing.

She said: "With the team placing of fifth last year, we would love to repeat that or go one better this year.

"I am probably an outside bet for a medal. Anything is possible because all the teams are so close; it's about what you do on the day.

"Any medal of any colour would just be the icing on the cake. I have had so much throughout my career that I never even dreamt that I would have got so far.

"I guess I put pressure on myself by taking those medals and coming to these games.

"Another Olympic medal is my ultimate goal, but it is not something I would look back on and regret for the rest of my career. I have had some fantastic wins and after this I am looking forward to the next stage of my life."