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17:35 GMT, Sunday, 29 June 2008 18:35 UK

Tweddle and Downie lead GB team

Becky Downie

Beth Tweddle and new British champion Becky Downie have been named in the GB gymnastics squad for the 2008 Olympics.

Tweddle, a veteran at 23 years old, will compete in her second Games having represented Britain at Athens in 2004.

"It's a massive relief and shows that all the hard work has been worth it," said Downie, 16, who became British women's artistic champion on Saturday.

Marissa King, Hannah Whelan, Laura Jones and Rebecca Wing complete the British team for Beijing.

Tweddle vowed to become the first British woman to win an individual Olympic medal when she competed at Athens four years ago, but could only finish 19th in the individual event.

Beijing will mark her last Olympic appearance and Tweddle, who competed in the bars at Saturday's British Championships despite injury, is playing down her chances second time around.

"I'm really excited and just looking forward to getting there and doing the best job I can," she said.

"The team's been together for a long time now and I definitely feel we can have positive results."

Tweddle won a World Championship gold medal in 2006, becoming the first British gymnast to win a medal at that level - but no Briton has ever reached an Olympic gymnastics final, let alone the podium.

Whelan and King make the step up from youth festivals last year to senior competition at the highest level.

"I don't think this will sink in for a while, it's every athlete's dream and there's no words that can sum up how happy I am to be selected," said Whelan, who will turn 16 on Tuesday.

"The whole group has worked so hard for this and the emotions are now finally coming out. I can't wait to get out there and do the job."

Daniel Keatings and Louis Smith were selected to compete in the men's artistic gymnastics earlier in June.



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Related to this story:

Huntingdon's King set for Beijing (30 Jun 08 |  Gymnastics )
Tweddle to miss GB Championships (24 Jun 08 |  Gymnastics )
Tweddle clinches European silver (06 Apr 08 |  Gymnastics )
Beam bronze for schoolgirl Downie (21 Mar 06 |  Commonwealth Games )
Team GB for Beijing (26 Jun 08 |  Team GB )
Gymnastics photo guide (01 Mar 06 |  Photo Galleries )
GB gymnasts qualify for Olympics (02 Sep 07 |  Gymnastics )
Get involved in gymnastics (27 Jun 08 |  Gymnastics )

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