21. Januar 2004  
Artistic Gymnastics

Beth Tweddle is back in training

Beth Tweddle (GBR)

After their return from a Winter Camp in Austria, the Women’s Artistic British Senior National Squad are spending a week of training at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall.
Beth Tweddle, the British 'prima', World and European medallist on A. Bars, is also in the gym together with Alice Green (Sapphire), Jessica Brough (Europa GC), Carol and Helen Galashan (Liverpool), Melanie Roberts (Liverpool), Rosalie Hutton (Pipers Vale), Imogen Cairns (The Academy), Rhian Pugh (Bristol Hawks), Samantha Bayley (Wiltshire) and Lynette Lisle (Cardiff Central).
After having won a Silver medal at the World Cup Final in Birmingham, 11/12 December 2004, Beth went through an ankle operation...
A BAGA interview with Beth Tweddle
by Vera Atkinson, Jan 20, 2005

BT: It all went very well and after only three and a half weeks I am able to tumble on the trampoline; hopefully I will be back to full training very soon!

Q: Which are the first major international events you intend to participate in?
 BT: I am not entirely sure but it could be the American Cup which is in 5 weeks, then Cottbus Grand Prix & World Cup and then British University Championships.

Q: Your main target for 2005?
 BT: It’s obviously the European Championships in Debrecen in May, which is on Individual Apparatus. A lot of faces have retired and a lot of new faces have emerged, so it will be a good challenge for me. The same relates to the World Championships in Melbourne in the end of this year.

Q: Tell us more about your actual student’s life.
 BT: I absolutely love it! I am living in a house with three other sports scholars from Liverpool University: one of them plays for England Football girls, one is a high jumper and one plays in the Rugby League. We are all top level competitors and therefore understand each other very well, (when we see each other between trainings, trips or camps!). I also receive much support from the University. They are giving me a day off if necessary, or if I miss work they are giving me extensions and help me find a way to catch up.
I love what I learn in the Uni! It is all very interesting to me. Last year, when I was doing my A levels, I was often bored and was pestering my mum or Amanda (Kirby, Beth’s coach) about it. Now I feel absorbed with what I do and learn, I have support from everybody, I have a new group of friends who understand me very well- it’s great!

Q: Where did you spend Christmas?
 BT: At home, it was just after the operation and the first two days I was sliding around the floor, I tried crutches on Christmas day.

Q: What would you like to wish all the gymnasts in GB and your numerous fans in particular?
 BT: All of you keep working hard, so that you have your big day to remember in gymnastics as soon as possible. To all my fans- Thanks for supporting me! To those who came to Birmingham - you were absolutely fantastic and it helped me perform better! Thank you!

Interview by Vera ATKINSON, BAGA