Olympic Artistic Gymnastics – best results ever for Team GB.

SO… who won the medals? Beth Tweddle MBE won BRONZE in the women’s uneven bars final; the first ever individual medal for British Gymnastics and the first medal otherwise since the 1928 Games team bronze in Amsterdam. Beth:- “It’s the best feeling in the world to win the bronze medal, there was one point today I thought I’d end in 4th like in Beijing 08, so I’m really happy. This was the one medal missing from my collection; this is the one I really wanted. I tried to keep calm and do what I do best and the crowd were amazing, as soon as I walked into the arena it was incredible. I haven’t made any future plans yet, I definitely won’t be in Rio but I’m happy to go home now and have a bit of a holiday and get back into the gym; if my hearts in it I will continue. I had a step on my dismount but at the end of the day I had to go for the difficult dismount to challenge for a medal. To be honest I could say ‘what if’ but I’m not disappointed in the slightest, any medal, any colour is what I always said I wanted, so I’m extremely happy.” Louis Smith and Max Whitlock took SILVER and BRONZE in the men’s artistic pommel horse final; the first silver medal for GB in gymnastics since the 1908 London Games and the first silver individual apparatus medal in history. Louis :- “I competed one of the best routines of my life and it was tough waiting for the score but to come second to one of the best pommel horse workers the worlds ever seen- I’m a lucky guy. I knew I had to go for my harder routine for the final as soon as I qualified and I’m very happy I went with that choice, I scored a 16 for the first time in a major competition so I’m very pleased. To do that routine in this Olympic Games in front of a home crowd and my friends and family, regardless of the score or position, it was amazing.” Max :- “The success British Gymnastics had in Beijing really inspired me and hopefully the success we have had here will bring more recognition to the sport. It’s an honour to finish beneath Berki and Louis and to get a bronze in my first Olympic Games is unbelievable. I don’t think this will sink in for a long time, my goal when I arrived was to do well for the team and just make a final but to come away with two bronze medals is incredible.” It was a fantastic Games this year on Home ground, with amazing results. Well done to all Gymnasts who competed, showing lots of potential for 2016 in Rio.