Preview-
For the first time in fifteen years the Olympic gymnastics disciplines of men’s artistic and women’s artistic gymnastics come together to form a three day spectacle showcasing some of the world’s finest gymnasts at the Echo Arena in Liverpool, from the 22nd-24th June.
With less than five weeks to go to the opening of the London 2012 Olympic Games, these British Championships act as a vital competition as the final Olympic trial for those senior gymnasts hoping to make the five strong men’s and women’s teams to be announced on July 4th.
Amongst the gymnasts competing will be three-time world champion Beth Tweddle MBE, who has recently returned to action from knee injury, Olympic pommel horse bronze medallist Louis Smith, 2012 European Championships floor and beam bronze medallist and reigning British champion Hannah Whelan and 2009 British champion Becky Downie.
Daniel Purvis, the 2010 (tie with Sam Hunter) and 2011 British champion will compete along with the remainder of the 2012 European championships gold medal winning team – Max Whitlock, Ruslan Panteyleymonov, Kristain Thomas and Louis. The return to action of 2009 World all-around silver medallist Daniel Keatings and 2010 junior European all-around champion Sam Oldham mean the battle for Olympic places in the men's team in particular is sure to be a closely fought battle.
Over the three day event, which includes competition for juniors and seniors, in both the all-around – where gymnasts compete on all pieces of apparatus- and individual apparatus competitions, the crowd will be treated to awe-inspiring displays of strength, suppleness, stamina, coordination and courage.
With the coveted British title at stake, the tension will be high and the pressure will be on to see who can handle the nerves to be crowned Britain’s best.
The home crowd are sure to play a role as City of Liverpool girls Beth Tweddle, Hannah Whelan, Jenni Pinches and Rebecca Tunney push for Olympic places whilst Southport gymnast Dan Purvis and Frank Baines will be aiming for all-around titles in the senior and junior events.
Beth Tweddle MBE: “To have the British Championship once again coming to the Echo Arena is amazing. The atmosphere at last year’s event, with the home crowd support for the City of Liverpool gymnasts was unbelievable. The fact that Hannah Whelan and Rebecca Tunney both from Liverpool became the junior and senior champions in 2011 obviously helped.
The 2012 championships will be even more special. To have the men’s and women’s competitions at the same time just doubles the excitement and for the crowd they get to see not just Britain’s, but some of the world’s best gymnasts at the height of competition just weeks before the 2012 Olympics, so it really couldn’t be better.
The competition will be the final selection event for everyone looking to make the team for the Olympic Games and so it really is a crucial competition in our year and I know that everyone will be looking to be at their very best - I can’t wait”
Tickets
To book tickets, log on to www.echoarena.com or call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400.
Tickets are subject to a handling / booking fee.
Event Schedule
Friday 22nd June
Women’s juniors 13:00-15:00
Men’s U16/U18 19:00- 21:30
Saturday 23rd June
Men’s seniors 12:00- 15:00
Women’s seniors 19:00-20:30
Sunday 24th June
Men’s masters and women’s individual apparatus 10:30-12:10 and 14:00- 16:00
Media
Media are invited to attend the championships with interview opportunities following the conclusion of each session. For the senior gymnasts this will be the final interview opportunity before the Olympic team announcement on July 4th at Loughborough University.
For media accreditation please fill out the form here –
How to follow
The entire Championships will be covered LIVE by BGtv, from the following link. http://new.livestream.com/bgtvgymnastics. HD footage can be provided to the media and hosting of the live stream can also be accommodated, please email
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for more detail.
The coverage will work on all devices including iPhones / android devices and routines will also be uploaded to YouTube as the competition unfolds. You will also be able to follow the event via our Facebook page and twitter. There will also be LIVE scoring from BG score and reports will be posted to the British Gymnastics website.
Tickets
To book tickets, log on to www.echoarena.com or call the Echo Arena Box Office on 0844 8000 400.
Tickets are subject to a handling / booking fee.
