Swiss gymnast Dieter Rehm was given a standing ovation on Sunday as he completed his last tournament on home soil.

The Swiss Cup competition in Zürich ended with a special ceremony in honour of the 26-year-old's achievements, which include silver and bronze European Championship medals and a bronze from the 1999 World Championships.

After receiving a special service award and several minutes of applause, Rehm in turn thanked the spectators for the faith they had placed in him throughout his career.

Rehm, who has been one of Switzerland's most successful gymnasts, was unable to bow out with a winning performance on Sunday, mainly thanks to a change in the competition's format.

This year the Swiss Cup reverted to a pairs competition for the first time since 1993. Despite some top quality personal performances, Rehm was unable to make it into the last four, after his partner Ekaterina Lobaschnjuk failed to match his efforts in her individual floor exercise.

The winners' trophy went to Russian favourites Elena Zamolodschikova and Alexei Bondarenko. Rehm will have one more chance to shine in the professional arena when he contests his last ever tournament at the World Cup in Stuttgart later this month.

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