OLYMPICS LONDON 2012: Tweddle ecstatic after clinching elusive medal

By Paul Smith, Sportsbeat, London 2012

BETH Tweddle insists she wouldn't swap her bronze medal performance for another attempt at Olympic gold.

BRILLIANT BRONZE: Beth Tweddle admists she wouldn't swap her medal for another chance to go for gold

After a decade of trying, Britain's most decorated gymnast finally got her hands on an elusive Olympic medal at London's North Greenwich Arena.

She pulled off a difficult routine but stumbled and took a step when landing which likely cost her higher honours.

However, her score of 15.916 was enough to make the podium at her third Games, with Russia's Aliya Mustafina winning gold, and reigning champion He Kexin, of China, the silver medal.

But City of Liverpool gymnast Tweddle – who by claiming bronze picked up the first ever British women's individual Olympic medal in the sport - is adamant she has no regrets.

"I could have played it safe and gone for an easy routine but I wouldn't have had the difficulty there, and I wouldn't have been able to contend for a medal," said the 27-year-old.

"I had to pull that dismount. It did have a step at the end and a lot of people are saying it could have been gold.

"But had anyone said you have got another shot do you want to have another go I would have said no, and that is always the sign of a good routine.

"The rest of the routine was probably one of the best I have done. Obviously the dismount had the step, but I really don't care!"

© Sportsbeat 2012