Olympic joy for one-time SALTO star

FORMER SALTO Gym club member Eddie van Hoof was celebrating as Great Britain won their first Olympics gymnastics medal since 1912 this week.

By The Newsroom

Published 31st Jul 2012, 20:00 BST

The 55-year-old, who is the technical director of the men’s programme, was at SALTO earlier in his career.

Van Hoof also took part in the 1984 Olympics, before being appointed to his post in British Gymnastics.

It had looked like the GB quintet of Louis Smith, Sam Oldham, Kristian Thomas, Max Whitlock and Dan Purvis had won silver at one stage.

Originally they finished as runners-up behind China, but a succesful challenge to the pommel horse routine by Japan, saw them drop back to bronze.

For the full story, see the Luton News/Dunstable Gazette on sale tomorrow.