London 2012 will be gymnast Beth Tweddle’s third Olympics. However, the three-time world champion very nearly didn’t make the Team GB squad, having undergone knee surgery in April.Her preparation for the Games has included sleeping with a special ice machine strapped around her injured knee to help in her recovery.
The Cheshire-based athlete, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal in Beijing, is hoping to add an elusive Olympic medal to her achievements, which include six European and seven British titles and sees her best hope on the uneven bars. She’s particularly determined as she plans to retire later this year. With most gymnasts peaking before they hit 20 (Team GB’s youngest member is 15-year-old gymnast Rebecca Tunney), 27-year-old Beth is realistic about her chances.
“I’d love to finish my career with an Olympic medal, but it’s not the be-all and end-all, and I’ve got a lot to look back on if I don’t win a medal,” she says. “I did gymnastics because I love it. I never thought I would have achieved what I have. Just to get to an Olympic Games is a massive achievement. “With the Games being on home soil, it is definitely the most special.”
The women’s artistic gymnastics starts on 29 July.