More Beth Tweddle love this week: Tweddle, the best British gymnast in history, has made the short list of 10 for BBC Sports Personality of the Year. The winner will be announced after voting during a live show on the BBC on December 13. Unfortunately for those of us outside the UK, voting is restricted to UK residents calling from UK numbers. For those in the UK, here's more info on voting.

There's a nice article about Tweddle on the Guardian site that calls her "a true pioneer in her sport." I couldn't agree more. She has put British gymnastics on the map in women's gymnastics. Plus, her longevity (she's 24 now, and talks in the article about continuing to 2012) and the number of different bar routines she has showcased throughout those years is impressive enough. I'd count her as a pioneer on that event, too.

Here's Tweddle on bars in 2009, where she does an unimaginable number of releases and combinations, and her bar routine in 2003, when she did much more pirouette work.

There's also a little fluff video about Tweddle and the award, with kind of funny commentary from Melanie C, the former Spice Girl.

(Pictured above: Beth Tweddle; © Clive Brunskill / Getty Images)

Beth Tweddle entered the 2006 World Championships as the two-time world bronze medalist on uneven bars. In Aarhus she finally earned the top spot, eclipsing defending world champion Nastia Liukin with impressive release moves that included a Khorkina-Gienger combination and a Ray.

While Liukin had an awkward landing on her dismount, Tweddle stuck hers cold, and became the first British world champion in gymnastics.

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(Pictured above: Beth Tweddle; © Stephen Dunn / Getty Images)

Cassie Whitcomb and Amanda Jetter of Cincinnati Gymnastics won the senior and junior all-around titles, respectively, at the 14th Pas-de-Calais in Argues, France. The pair won the team title, too, and Jetter earned the junior floor gold, and Whitcomb the senior bars gold. I haven't found videos of the meet, but there is a small photo gallery on the USA Gymnastics website.

In general, Whitcomb is very clean on bars (her routine from 2009 nationals), with a beautiful stalder and dismount. She carries that same great form throughout all four events, and if she can upgrade her difficulty on each event, she could be a major player for the US in the future.

Jetter will be a senior next year, and shares many of the good qualities of her older teammate. Here's her floor set from 2009 nationals (unfortunately she falls on her second pass). She also throws an impressive standing full and handspring to two-foot layout on beam.

(Pictured above: Cassie Whitcomb; © Frank Law)

The ABC Family gymnastics show, Make It or Break It, will air the first episode of its second season on January 4, 2010 at 9 pm. The unrealistic-but-strangely-addictive series has been a hit for ABC Family so far. If you missed the first season, full episodes are posted on the official website, and a DVD of the first season will go on sale January 12.

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(Photo © ABC Family)