Tunney, the youngest member of the entire Great Britain London 2012 squad, scored an impressive 15.00 on the bars to help her secure 13th place in a strong field of 24 – as team-mate Hannah Whelan propped up the standings after a controversial no-score in the vault.
And 15-year-old Tunney expressed her delight at her performance and hopes to use her London’s experience to help her fledgling gymnastic career.
“It's been amazing. Competing with the other gymnasts is something I'll never forget. I've never had anything like this before,” said Tunney, who at 4ft 9ins is also the shortest member of Team GB.
“At the beginning of the year, it was a long shot. I am young but I've worked hard and trained hard and got my place in the final. I was over the moon.”
Whelan’s non-score on the vault was the talking point of the final after judges ruled her feet did not touch the ground first on her landing – despite replays casting doubt on the judgement.
And former British champion Whelan admitted her otherwise impressive final performance was overshadowed by her fall.
She said: “I think I had too much adrenaline and there was no push off the top.
“I'm just disappointed for myself, my parents and everyone that supported me. I've worked really hard. These things happen and I wish everyone else the best of luck.
“My priority was to get the team in the finals and I'm really happy for Becky”
