Chester gymnast Beth Tweddle awarded MBE

Jan 7 2010 by Alec Doyle, Chester Chronicle

WORLD champion gymnast Beth Tweddle has been made an MBE in the New Year Honours list.

The two-times champion, formerly of The Queen’s School, Chester, is regarded as the greatest gymnast Britain has produced after earning the nation’s first ever world title in 2006 before repeating the feat last year.

Despite knowing of the award for six weeks, the attention the announcement has generated has stunned the 24-year- old.

“I forgot about it because you are not allowed to tell anyone,” she said.

“Getting on with training and Christmas it just slipped my mind until I started getting calls from the media last week.

“My housemate has been great, fielding my calls while I’ve been training and acting like my PA – but she understands and she’s really pleased for me.”

The letter informing Beth of her honour was posted to the Bunbury home of her parents, Ann and Jerry.

“When my mum saw the royal stamp she really wanted to open it but my dad said she should leave it,” said Beth.

“She did open it though, and she was so excited.

“I get to take a guest to Buckingham Palace to collect the MBE and I don’t think I’ll have much choice in who I take.”

The gymnast is now preparing for April’s European Championships.

“I had New Year’s Day off but other than that I am training through,” she said.

Beth is still considering the possibility of competing in the London Olympics in 2012, but it will be her ability to challenge and beat the best gymnasts in the world which will ultimately dictate when she retires.