Interview with Team England Manager about Beth (16th March, 2006)

Mike Weinstock, the Team England Manager spoke to Backflip about Beth Tweddle and her injury which has forced her to withdraw from the Games.

‘Obviously it’s very disappointing, she was really up for it. Training was going really well, it’s disappointing for the team and in particular her personal coach Amanda. But you’ve got to move forward and everyone is very confident and we’ve four strong competitors and they are going to give it their best shot.’

‘She has lots of experience and a uniqueness to the team. She’s very disappointed and I guess depressed initially but you have to come to terms with it. It’s a tough sport, you just have to pull yourself together and there’s life after the Commonwealth Games and she’s got to help the team now do their job. She’s got to long term re-focus and get herself ready for the next big event which is the European Championships. It’s a bit a cliché but as they say when it gets tough, the tough get going. We’ve got two very ambitious coaches who know what they’re doing and they can help to get the best out of the team. Who knows what will happen - it’s a new Code so it could be open to anything. It’s disappointing but all you have to do is keep going.’

‘We have every expectation that it (Beth’s ankle) will be healed in time for the Europeans. She will be 100 % well enough for the Europeans. Rest and recuperation is all that is needed.’