Tweddle

"Tweddle," was the solemn reply, "that is a thing you must be content to leave in its native mystery" (which Leander undoubtedly was).

The Tinted Venus A Farcical Romance F. Anstey 1895

But, in one of the leading West End thoroughfares there is a large and prosperous hair-cutting saloon, over which the name of "Tweddle" glitters resplendent, and the books of which would prove too much for

The Tinted Venus A Farcical Romance F. Anstey 1895

It is worth listing these as Tweddle, the grande dame of British gymnastics she turned 26 on Friday prepares for this week's European championships, the first stage in a competitive cycle that leads to the all-guns-blazing career-end shoot-out of next summer's London Olympics.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

Beth Tweddle is a remarkable athlete, not least for the several distinct ways she has managed to appear remarkable over a decade-long elite gymnastics career.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

Remarkable 10 years ago as a breakthrough lottery-era success, Tweddle is just as remarkable now as a veteran, still gamely marshalling her strength in gymnastic old age.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

If there is something valedictory in listing Tweddle's achievements, this is based in the cold reality of the challenge she faces competing at an Olympics that has elongated her career past its natural end.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

And at the end of a week when Victoria Pendleton has spoken of the discombobulating effects of next year's Olympics, the way London 2012 has made every intervening event appear mundane, Tweddle's enthusiasm for competition seems chasteningly undimmed.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

I don't know how I'm going to celebrate retiring, Tweddle says.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

There is no point in pushing Tweddle for an inside scoop on the new Olympic routine: within two hours of her performing it for the first time in public it had already been posted up on YouTube, something she describes as a bit annoying.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011

With the decisive shift into the second life of the childhood athlete looming – the late onset of adult civilian life – these weeks off are now of necessity packed with activities that fuel the wider Tweddle brand.

Beth Tweddle ready to prove her powers of reinvention in Berlin 2011