Rebecca Tunney- The next Hannah Whelan?

This may sound like a strange question but I noticed a strange paralell today. The Couch Gymnast has posted a great profile on british gymnast Rebecca Tunney (Right) prior to her debut at the American Cup. Tunney is the 2011 junior british champion and seen by many as the new senior with the most realistic chance of making the olympic team.

GB are giving her plenty of competition and media exposure sending her to the olympic test event in January and and the American Cup in March. In terms of results these aren't important per se, but both are in huge arenas (the O2 and Madison Square Garden) and in the glare of the television cameras, just as the olympics will be.

Now, remember this face from 4 years ago? In the lead up to Beijing 2008 there was another young, talented, pixie like gymnast vying for an olympic spot. The young Hannah Whelan was the darling of the BBC's GYMNAST documentary, becoming the youngest and smallest member of the GB olympic team.

Since 2008 Whelan has gone on to become GB's best all arounder, finish top 10 in the world and looks like a lock (touch wood) for her second olympics in 2012. With Beth Tweddle due to retire after this summer Whelan is poised to become the new public face and leader of british gymnastics. Does that leave room for Tunney to become the 'young rising star'?

The Liverpool Gymnastics club seems to be the UK's version of WOGA, you do get national stars from elsewhere, but Liverpool seem to produce a new one reliably year on year! We wish Rebecca the very best in her quest for olympic selection.

This year's American Cup is turning into a showcase for young gymnastics talent, with Tunney joining Romania's Larisa Iordache and Olympic test event floor champ Victoria Moors taking on the USA's best on home turf. Whilst I wouldn't put money to win, I for one am more excited to see the performance of these 'unknowns' vs America's consistent professionals Wieber and Raisman!

If you had to pick the GB olympic team now, who would you send?

 Photo from the National Portrait Gallery's 'Road to 2012' Collection (Link - Full Twist)