GREAT BRITAIN celebrated two world champions last weekend. One received a telegram of congratulation from the Prime Minister. The other was invited to sit on the GMTV couch on Monday morning. But there was absolutely no doubt which was the more glorious achievement. While Jenson Button limped home in fifth place in the Brazilian Grand Prix to secure a world title set up months ago, Beth Tweddle tumbled, somersaulted and leaped her way into the history books in a discipline not considered her strongest, and at an age when gymnasts are generally considered to be past their best. But Beth’s no ordinary athlete. Britain hadn’t won a medal of any colour at the world championships until she claimed bronze in 2003. She is the only non-teenager to win a gold since 2003 – and she’s now done it twice, after her triumph on the uneven bars two years ago. But perhaps even more importantly, Beth is now trying to put something back. She has set up her own company, Total Gymnastics, with another of this city’s splendid sports stars, Steve Parry, to help develop gymnastics in sport. The scheme won’t make them rich. But that’s not the point. “A lot of primary schools teachers are scared to teach gymnastics,” said Beth. “We help them to make sure children with talent can get into clubs.” Beth Tweddle is a shining example to athletes and sports stars everywhere. This newspaper has long championed her abilities, and while some other media outlets are finally waking up to her talent, she still hasn’t heard from 10 Downing Street. Gymnastics clearly isn’t considered a vote winner. But Beth Tweddle is a 24-carat gold plated winner – and if you’re looking to cast a vote for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year next month, you could do much worse than put a tick in the box marked Tweddle. | 
