The Cheshire gymnast has enjoyed a glittering career, peaking with her bronze at last summer's Olympics in front of her home crowd, which was preceded by three World Championship gold medals, six European titles and seven consecutive national victories.

The 28-year-old Tweddle took a break from gymnastics to compete in ITV's celebrity ice skating show, "Dancing on Ice", in March in which she emerged victorious with her partner Dan Whiston.

She had already ruled herself out of competing at the next Games at Rio de Janeiro in 2016  so her retirement was somewhat foreseeable, and she will now turn her attention toward boosting the profile of her sport and continuing the momentum from grassroots level following groundbreaking performances from Britain's gymnasts at London 2012.

Along with Tweddle's medal in the uneven bars, there was also a bronze for the men's team, while Louis Smith and Max Whitlock won individual silver and bronze respectively on the pommel horse.

Beth Tweddle, who won bronze in the uneven bars at London 2012, has announced her retirement from gymnastics at the age of 28

Chobham Academy, a new school which is due to open next month in the East Village residential development on the Olympic Park, will host a Beth Tweddle Academy, part of a national roll out of programmes run by Total Gymnastics, set up by Tweddle herself and fellow Olympian Steve Parry to encourage participation in the sport and give youngsters the opportunity to learn core skills and develop their talents.

Children from two to 14 years of age will be eligible to take part in the programme, which will incorporate the existing Gym Stars programme for two to eight-year-olds and the Gymnastics Proficiency programme for eight to 14-year-olds.

More than 5,000 children are already taking the opportunity to get involved in gymnastics throughout the country in the eleven Beth Tweddle Academy projects currently up and running and the 46 leisure centre that orchestrate the Gym Stars programme.

Tweddle reflected upon her career and expressed her gratitude to British Gymnastics, her coach and her fans.

Tweddle stretched out with youngsters from her Academy programme after announcing her retirement and launching a programme at Chobham Academy

"It's been a hard decision to make," she said.

"Gymnastics has been and always will be a massive part of my life.

"Following the Olympics I've had a lot of projects on 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 and I know now deep down I can't commit to the hours and training to remain at the very top.

"I'm going to miss being part of the team, my teammates, my personal coach Amanda Reddin, the buzz of the competition and achieving your dreams.

"There are so many people to thank for helping me, the biggest one is Amanda who has always been at my side, nothing could have been achieved without her, British Gymnastics who have supported me throughout, of course my family who have always been there for me and the British fans who have been unbelievable.

"I don't think my achievements will ever really sink in but when I do look back I can be very proud of what I've done and how I've done it.

"I guess if there was anything I wanted to pass on from my time in the sport it would be that you should never let any obstacle get in your way.

"With hard work there's always a way to succeed and always a way to achieve your dreams.

"The London 2012 Olympics is where I achieved my life-long dream and now I hope I can inspire the next generation of youngsters by providing the opportunity for them to try gymnastics."

Chobham Academy (circular building, bottom right), in the East Village of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will host a Beth Tweddle Academy programme when it opens 

Tweddle spoke to students from Beth Tweddle Academy programmes and saw a demonstration of the skills they have been working on recently, and told of how she is looking forward to the new Academy programme's launch on the Olympic Park site shortly after the school opens its doors for the first time next month.

"I'm honoured that Chobham Academy has chosen to support my Academy, and it's very special for me to be able to do this on the Olympic site," she said.

"The school opens this September and my Academy will be starting in mid-October, it will be open to anyone in the local area that wants to come along.

"I want to give every child an opportunity to try gymnastics.

"I had to try a lot of sports before I found gymnastics, this way children can have a go; they might love it, they might hate it, but at least we've given them the opportunity to try it.

"We are actively looking for new locations in the UK; it's simple to set-up, doesn't cost the school anything to run, we provide the coaches and infrastructure, the only thing they need is basic PE equipment."

Tweddle announced her retirement and launched the Beth Tweddle Academy programme which will take place at Chobham Academy from October

British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Sebastian Coe paid tribute to Tweddle for the accolades she has achieved throughout her career and for her ongoing commitment to the London 2012 legacy project.

"During a remarkable career that has seen her achieve unprecedented success at every level of competition, Beth Tweddle has set a new standard of excellence for British Gymnastics," he said.

"She has been an inspiration and a role model for a generation - from her impressive competitive record to setting up Total Gymnastics, through which she strives to give as many children as possible an opportunity to try gymnastics.

"I will always be grateful for her steadfast support to London 2012 while we were bidding and delivering the Games.

"Equally, I am delighted that the Chobham Academy are to have a Beth Tweddle Academy.

"It is a fitting tribute and I am sure that young people will be proud to go to a school that is associated with Britain's most successful gymnast."

Tweddle joins the likes of British Olympic gold medallists Victoria Pendleton, Sir Chris Hoy, Sir Ben Ainslie and Rebecca Adlington in announcing her retirement in the aftermath of London 2012. 

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