London 2012 Olympics: She might be 27 but Beth Tweddle is at the peak of her career, says gymnast’s father

 
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6 August 2012

Gymnast Beth Tweddle’s father, Jerry, said today his daughter “just keeps getting better” even though she is a relative veteran of the sport at 27.

Tweddle will be the oldest competitor in the uneven bars competition to win a medal for almost 50 years if she makes the podium.

“She just keeps stepping up,” said Mr Tweddle. “Even though she’s 27 she just keeps getting better. Obviously we’re very, very proud, but it’s sort of crept up on us bit by bit.”

He also described how his daughter did not immediately take to the sport when she went to a gym class aged seven. Mr Tweddle — who will be cheering her on along with friends and family including his wife, Ann, son James and Beth’s boyfriend, Steve — said it was not until she took part in her first competition that she got the taste to aspire higher.

The 58-year-old, who is a business manager at a plastics company, told of the family’s pride, regardless of what the result is today. “She’s absolutely at her best at the moment, she’s doing the toughest routine she’s ever done.”

“It’s not her first final but it’s something she’s worked for for the last four years. She came fourth in Beijing and said that’s not good enough and that she wanted to give it another go.

“A medal is what she’s hoping for, that would be the pinnacle. She’s said herself, she’s come to have a go. She would be very excited to get another medal for British gymnastics.”

He added: “We’re a very sporty family. My son used to play hockey for England under 21s. We tried all sorts of things with Beth because we knew she was very active and sporty and was always climbing trees and things. She did horse riding, running, then she once went to a recreational gymnastics class aged seven on a Saturday and the rest is history.

“I’m not sure she was that into it to start with until she went to her first competition and from then she just loved it.

“She trains really hard, she’s always first one in and last one out at the gym, but competitions she just loves. She won gold at the O2 worlds [in 2009] and at the Commonwealth Games.

“I’m not saying that because it’s in London means she’ll definitely get a medal but she really responds well to a home crowd.”

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