GYMNAST Craig Heap was just as happy with his own performance in Sydney as cycling gold medallist Jason Queally.

The 27-year old knew before travelling to Australia that a medal was more than an impossible dream in a sport dominated by the Russians and Chinese.

And, after fracturing an arm in July and having his lottery grant cut the day before he went out to perform, Heap had more problems than most in his preparation.

He has been speaking out about his anger over the lottery cut in Sydney -- although before he went to Australia local firm Smith and Nephew have sponsored Heap so he can continue in his sport -- but the Burnley lad didn't let all the wrangles spoil his competition.

Heap's aim on Saturday was to try and make the final cut of 36 who will compete on Wednesday for the medal positions. He didn't quite get there, but there's no disappointment.

"I've spoken to Craig and he's absolutely delighted," said his dad David from their farm in Burnley. "He couldn't have been happier.

"There's still a chance he could make the final as he finished 41st and is on the reserve list, so it just depends if anybody drops out. "He would never have gone out there if he didn't think he could do his country justice and he has.

"He's had a great weekend. He had lunch with Princess Anne and talked to her about the drug problems in sport and the problems with his lottery grant.

"And then he's taken part in a tough competition and beaten people he's never beaten before. He feels he couldn't have done any better."

Heap was Great Britain's only male entrant in the event and thought if he averaged nine points on every discipline he might just squeeze into the final 36. It started off well with 9.137 on the floor, although to stress the standard of competition Heap faced, the number one finisher Alexei Nemov of Russia was almost perfect with 9.8.

Heap had feared his hand -- which was fractured in two places in a training accident two months ago -- might hinder him in the pommel horse, which relies on one-handed movement for extra points. He scored his lowest mark 8.8. Nemov got an outstanding 9.787.

Heap's strongest and best event was the rings and he more than did himself justice on that, amassing 9.462, following it up with 8.825 on the vault. In the parallel bars he collected 9.075 points and in the final, and most spectacular discipline, the high bar, amassed 9.212.

The average of 54.511, was just under his personal best of 54.85.

Craig's girlfriend Paula Thomas was competing for the ladies in the gymnastic event.