The six-day event is expected to attract nearly 1,000 competitors from more than a 100 countries and will be an important part of the build-up to London 2012, where gymnastics will also take place in The O2 - or North Greenwich Arena as it will be known during the Games because of marketing restrictions.

 

The performance of Louis Smith at the Olympics in Beijing last month, where he became the first British male gymnast to win an individual medal for 80 years, has given the event a welcome boost as it is held in London for the first time.

 

Smith, who won a bronze medal on the pommel horse, will be appearing at the official launch in London on Wednesday alongside Beth Tweddle, the 2006 world champion on the bars for who these World Championships could be her last major competition.

 

Brian Stocks, the chief executive of British Gymnastics, said: "Beijing 2008 has put British Gymnastics right back on the map.

 

"We saw both the established stars and the talent of tomorrow make their mark.

 

"The World Gymnastics Championships at The O2 next year will be the perfect chance to see how our talent is developing ahead of the London Olympics in 2012.

 

"The O2 is a state-of-the-art venue with great sight lines and the public will have the very best experience when seeing the world's best perform."

 

Philip Beard, the chairman of AEG Sport and Sponsorship, said: "The World Gymnastic Championships next year is a real highlight in our sporting calendar.

 

"We'll be welcoming the very best gymnasts from across the world and it will be a great opportunity for us to reaffirm our position as one of Europe's best sporting venues.

 

"We will be hosting the gymnastics in 2012 and this will be a chance for fans to come and enjoy The O2 and all the facilities it has to offer before then."

 

Tickets are available from 9am on Wednesday from http://www.worldgymnastics2009.com.

 

Official Travel Packages are also available from http://www.thomsonsport.com.