Tweddle strikes double gold again at European Gymnastics

GREAT Britain's Beth Tweddle defended both her titles as she struck double gold again at the European Gymnastics Championships in Birmingham.

FOCUS: Beth Tweddle underlined her dominance adding two golds to the team silver she won at the European Championships in Birmingham (Getty Images)

She took podium top spot with a flawless uneven bar routine and less than an hour later secured the floor title - in which she is also world champion - with an equally foot-perfect performance.

Tweddle saw off the challenge from gymnastics powerhouse Russia to take her medals and clearly thrived as the centre of attention from a partisan home crowd at the National Indoor Arena. A good sign ahead of London 2012.

She was well ahead of Aliya Mustafina on the bars but was given a closer challenge by Anna Myzdrikova on the floor.

Her next focus will be defending her world title in Rotterdam later this year - where she will compete instead of the Commonwealth Games.

But the 25-year old is already dreaming of another win in London - this time at the Olympics, following last year’s world triumph at the o2.

“The Olympic medal is the only reason that I’m carrying on,” admitted Tweddle, who finished an agonising fourth on the uneven bars in Beijing.

“I’m so pleased to defend both my titles, especially as I could feel the expectation from the crowd.

"The home crowd can be an advantage and a disadvantage but I tried not to put too much pressure on myself

“When I look back on my career there is so much to be happy and proud about but the absence of that Olympic medal is the one aim left.”