Beth's success will spur on kids

Aug 6 2002 Gymnastics By Jason Hughes

GYMNASTICS should get ready to accept a new generation of medal hopefuls into the sport following some dazzling performances from England at the Commonwealth Games, according to team manager Michael Weinstock.

The host nation picked up nine medals during the four days of competition at Manchester's G-Mex Centre.

Weinstock believes youngsters will be inspired by the likes of double gold medallist Kanukai Jackson and Liverpool's Beth Tweddle.

"The popularity of gymnastics seems to have grown and grown," he said.

"After the big successes we have had, I believe there are going to be thousands and thousands knocking on the doors of gym clubs saying 'We want to be like Beth Tweddle, we want to be like Kanukai Jackson'.

"Many gym clubs have waiting lists so it is a nice problem to have, but the future is to have more coaches and more clubs."

The Newcastle club of Craig Heap, captain of England's gold medal-winning team, was recently given £3million to turn it into a state-of-the-art regional gymnastics centre.

Weinstock, however, realises the funding pit is not bottomless.

"World-class funding has made a massive difference over more than just a couple of years," he said.

"We do have more coaches who are now employed on a professional basis. But to put it in perspective, compared to Australia it is not very significant."

England gave the gymnastics programme the perfect start for the home crowd, with the men retaining the team title they won in Kuala Lumpur four years ago.

The next day, the women's team were also on the podium.

Londoner Jackson made it gold number two 24 hours later as he won the men's event, and he also helped himself to two silvers on the final day in the individual apparatus finals.

Tweddle, who took silver in the women's individual event, produced her golden moment on the uneven bars.

Earlier this year the 17-year-old Liverpudlian made history when she became the first British woman to win a European medal, taking bronze on the same piece.

John Smethurst's bronze and Becky Owen's silver made up England's impressive haul.