Artistic gymnast Sam Oldham (pictured), from Nottingahm, was undoubtedly the star of the show, putting in a superb performance to win double gold against tough opposition from Europe’s elite gymnasts.
 

 

Oldham started by following in the footsteps of his Huntingdon club mate and Beijing 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Louis Smith by performing with perfection to claim the pommel horse crown with a score of 13.775.

In confident mood and enjoying the support of a large British contingent in the crowd, Oldham followed up with another victory in the parallel bars, where he was awarded the same score of 13.775.
 

He said; “When I arrived this morning I felt really good, much better than the other days.

 

"I changed my pommel horse routine slightly to ensure it was clean and it went really well.

 

"Training with Louis helps a lot.

 

"I’m not ready to compete with him just yet as I won’t turn senior until 2011, but hopefully then I’ll be able to.

"I qualified in first for my second apparatus, the parallel bars, and I did another clean routine, while others made mistakes.

 

"I was really happy standing on top of the podium and it totally made up for the other days when I was not at my best.

 

"Today is certainly up there with the best achievements of my career so far.

 

"Being part of Team GB at the EYOF has been awesome.

 

"Taking part in a multi-sport event is amazing and to come away with two gold medals is just brilliant.

 

"Next up is the British Under-18 Championships in September before I go to Germany to compete in the Bundesliga for three weeks in October.”
 

Cameron Mackenzie, his team-mate from Huntingdon, then got in on the gold medal act with a superb routine on the high bar to outscore his rivals and claim gold for Britain with 13.350.

 

Oldham was unable to complete a hat-trick of medals, finishing in a credible fifth position with a score of 11.200.
 

Mackenzie said: “It went really well, it couldn’t have gone any better.

 

"All the hard work paid off today.

 

"My routine was as clean as it could be, so I’m really pleased with my performance.”
 

Edgwar'e Nicole Hibbert was Britain's sole representative in the women’s apparatus finals and she did not disappoint.

 

Hibbert scored 13.950 to win bronze in the uneven bars, finishing behind her Russian and Romanian rivals who claimed gold and silver respectively.

It was also a successful day for Britain's athletes at the Tampere Ratina Stadium.

 

Stroud sprinter Jennifer Batten proved that her 100 metres victory earlier in the week was no fluke as she cruised to the 200m title to claim an outstanding sprint double for Britain at the EYOF.

Batten crossed the finish line in a time of 23.80secto smash her personal best and was delighted with her achievement.

 

She said: “That was amazing.

 

"It didn’t feel as comfortable as it might have looked because it was quite a tiring race.

 

"But I was going for times and trying to break my PB (personal best) which thankfully I did.

 

"At the 100m mark I knew no-one was near me so I felt alright then.”
 

Batten has remained focused and level headed throughout the week.

 

She said: “It couldn’t have gone much better for me this week.

 

"I’ve had such a good week and I’ll remember this for a long time.

 

"It’s been an awesome experience and hopefully it will stand me in good stead for the future because this is still only the start of my career.”
 

Sandbach's Liam Clowes joined Batten on the podium by clinching third spot in the men’s 200m final with a time of 21.50.

 

After finishing in fourth position in the 100m sprint earlier in the week, Clowes was happy to finally reap the rewards of his efforts.

 

He said: “To get a personal best is absolutely awesome.

 

"I knew I had it in me and I knew I could come away with a medal.

 

"I was a little nervous beforehand but they were good nerves.

 

"I’m just so happy to get a medal.”
 

Britain's purple patch on the track continued as Godalming's Adelle Tracey took the 800m silver medal in a photo finish.

 

She benefitted from a well-timed dip on the line to clinch second in 2min 09.92sec.

 

Tracey said: "When I found out I’d won silver, it felt amazing.

 

"I’m really happy to get a medal.

 

"It was very nice to be up there on the podium, I’ve not done that before.

 

"When the anthems we’re playing I had a look at the Olympic flag and was thinking to myself I’m a youth Olympian and I’m really happy.”

Britain's swimmers also claimed medals.

 

Welshman Ieuan Lloyd (pictured) added 400m individual medley silver to the gold he won over the 200m distance earlier in the week.

Laxey's Grant Halsall also added to his personal medal tally, claiming silver in the men’s 100m backstroke to complement the 200m backstroke bronze he secured earlier in the week. M

 

Hull's Rachel Williamson enjoyed her first medal success of the EYOF with bronze in the women’s 800m freestyle event.

Williamson was satisfied with her performance.

 

She said: “I thought I swam really well. I went out quickly and didn’t let the leaders get too far ahead.

 

"I was delighted with the medal and it was unbelievable standing on the podium.”