British Gymnastics

LAUSANNE (SUI), FIG Office, January 14, 2010: Elizabeth Tweddle, World, Commonwealth and European Champion was honoured with an MBE (Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in the 2010 New Year Honours List recognising her outstanding achievements and services to sport. The MBE is an order of chivalry established 1917 and is awarded by the British Prime Minister.

At the 41st FIG World Championships in London (GBR), in October, the 24-year-old from Liverpool added to her long list of successes the World title on Floor, proving impressive resilience and spirit following her fall from her crown apparatus, the Uneven Bars, two days earlier. In 2009 she had also swept the titles on Floor and Uneven Bars at the European Championships in Milan (ITA) and at the World Student Games in Belgrade (SRB).

“This came as a total shock! Outside Gymnastics it’s the biggest honour I have ever received. This showed me how much it meant to the Honours panel, and how much these awards mean to people in general”, said Beth.

Tweddle, who is also seven-time British Champion, has broken each and every record in the history of British Women’s gymnastics. She is the fourth British gymnast to be honoured with an MBE following Nik Stewart, Avril Lennox and Neil Thomas.

Heartiest Congratulations from the international gymnastics community and Beth’s many, many supporters!

Profile of Beth Tweddle

DOB:                1/04/1985
Place of Birth: South Africa
Residence:      Lives in Bunbury and trains in Park Road gym in Liverpool
Hometown:      Bunbury, Cheshire
Started Gymnastics: 7 years old
Club:                 City of Liverpool 
Personal Coach: Amanda Kirby
First Coaches:  Charlie Oaks, Fergus Beedham
Education:        2004 – 2007 John Moores University in Liverpool (Sports Science)
Best Apparatus: Uneven  Bars and Floor

Beth Tweddle has set a number of “first time ever” achievements in her long gymnastics career. She was the first British woman to win medals at World (Bronze in 2003 and 2005; Gold in 2006 and 2009) and at European level (Bronze in 2002, Silver in 2004, 2007 and 2008 and Gold in 2006 and 2009).

She is also the 2002 Commonwealth Games Champion on Uneven Bars and three times Universiade Champion (2005 on Uneven Bars and 2009 on Uneven Bars and Floor). She is also seven-time British All-around Champion (2001-2007).

Whenever and wherever Beth competes, she is a recognised potential threat to win medals and titles.

Totally dedicated to Gymnastics, hard-working in the gym, she still manages to achieve excellent results in her academic life. Beth is a perfect role model for aspiring young people.

Best Achievements

2002 Bronze medal on Uneven Bars at the European Championships in Patras (GRE)
2002 Commonwealth Games Champion on Uneven Bars, Manchester (GBR)
2004 European Championships, Silver medal Uneven Bars, Amsterdam (NED)   
2005 World Students Champion in the All-around competition and on Uneven Bars, Izmir (TUR)
2005 World Championships, Bronze Uneven Bars, Melbourne (AUS)
2006 European Champion on Uneven Bars, Volos (GRE)
2006 World Champion on Uneven Bars, Aarhus (DEN)
2006 World Cup Final, Gold medal on Uneven Bars, Sao Paolo (BRA)
2007 European Championships, Silver medal on Floor, Amsterdam (NED)
2007 British Champion for 7th year in succession!
2008 European Championships, Silver on Floor, Clermont Ferrand (FRA)
2008 Beijing Olympic Games, 4th Uneven Bars
2009 European Champion on Floor and Uneven Bars, Milan (ITA)
2009 World Student Games Champion on Floor and Uneven Bars, Belgrade (SRB)
2009 World Champion on Floor, London (GBR)

(source: British Gymnastics / adapt. FIG)