Advanced: England--The New USA?

So what countries do you think of when I say: "great at gymnastics?"

Russia and Romania topped the list in the old days. Still do, but on a lesser scale. Nowadays, it's all about China and the USA.

But now the buzz has mostly been about good old Brittania. And it's not just because they are set to host the 2012 Olympics. It seems to be the place to be, darling, for elite gymnastics nowadays. First it was the 2009 World Championships at the O2 Arena, which were quite a success, barring Jessica Gil Ortez's injury in the floor final. Now it's been decided they will be hosting the 2010 European Championships in Birmingham from April 21st to May 2nd. Europeans is super exciting because you get to see the Russian and Romanian ladies as well as lovely talent from other smaller but no less entertaining gymnastics countries like France and Italy.

Tweddle celebrating her floor gold at the 2009 World Championships

Plus their athletes! If you haven't heard of Elizabeth (Beth) Tweddle, you are hiding under a rock under a layer of concrete in the remote Himalayas, as she is a great uneven bars and floor specialist and current darling of British women's gymnastics. Among her many accomplishments, she is the 2009 World Floor Champion and 2007 Uneven Bars Champion. She narrowly missed a bars bronze in Beijing, which was really disappointing, because she put in a great performance.

Keatings at the 2008 Olympic Games

The men aren't too shabby either. Daniel Keatings is a European All-Around Silver Medalist and made history by being the first British gymnast, male or female, to medal in the AA at a World Championship (he took silver in 2009).

Not bad for a little island off the west coast of Europe, right?

Some other up-and-coming nations in the world of gymnastics: Japan and Italy. Look for them at this years Worlds and beyond!