Tweddle targets gold at World University Games

SEVEN-TIME British champion Beth Tweddle is the stand-out name in the ten-strong Great Britain gymnastics squad competing at the World University Games in Belgrade at the end of June.

HIGH HOPES: Beth Tweddle to lead GB hopes at the World University Games in Serbia 

The 24-year-old, who studies health studies at Liverpool University, became Britain's first ever gymnastics world champion in 2006 on the uneven bars but after finishing fourth on the bars at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, she flirted with the idea of retirement.

But with half an eye on gold at London 2012, Tweddle changed her mind and has had a flawless start to this season, capturing gold for both the bars and the floor at the European Championships in April and the Glasgow Grand Prix in May.

And Tweddle believes her Eastern European adventure will act as the perfect stepping stone as he prepares to mount an assault on October's World Championships at the O2 Arena in London.

"I've had a great year so far and I want to keep this form going," said Tweddle.

"Each event prepares you for the next. It gives you the experience of competing in different environments - you experience all the distractions and find out the best way to focus on your event and not allow anything to put you off.

"I came so close in Beijing and feel like there's some unfinished business there - I want to prove everyone wrong and get that Olympic medal."

Tweddle will be joined in Belgrade by Commonwealth Games athletes Olivia Bryl and Rob Payne and veterans from 2007's World University Games, Steven Jehu and Tom Rawlinson.

And British Gymnastics' performance director Matthew Greenwood is adamant the squad will be competing for the top prizes in Belgrade.

"It's fantastic to have such a strong squad of elite gymnasts representing Great Britain," said Greenwood.

"I expect all the gymnasts selected to be striving for medals and with their experience, they should be able to achieve their goals.

"The strength of this squad reflects the importance of higher education to the development of the entire gymnastics pathway."