Beth Tweddle retires to launch gymnastics legacy project

World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist Beth Tweddle has retired from elite sport to set up a gymnastics academy - the first legacy programme of London 2012 to be led by an athlete.

Tweddle announced her plans on the anniversary of the 2012 Games at Chobham Academy, a new school set to open next month in East Village – the residential development on the site of the London 2012 athletes' village.

Chobham will be home to the Beth Tweddle Academy, the Olympic Park's first athlete-led legacy programme.

The academy will look to increase participation in gymnastics by providing the opportunity for children to take up the sport.

The school – and the new gymnastics academy – is set to open in September 2013.

Tweddle said: "Following the Olympics I've had a lot of projects on – including the academy – and recently I've had a bit more time to get back into the gym and decide whether I could put 100 per cent into it.

"I know now that deep down I can't commit to the hours and training to remain at the very top."

Tweddle had already declared that she wouldn't compete at Rio 2016 Olympic Games, but her early retirement comes as a blow to Team GB, which was hoping she would be part of the team at next year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.