CHALK TALK: YOUR QUESTIONS...ANSWERED!

Question from Alix: "After all that happened in the selection camp for the 2008 games (gymnasts getting injured, etc), do you still think that the team should have been chosen right after trials? I think the selection process is in definite need of a overhaul but I think that the sport has come a long way--especially with some of the athletes who made the team. How is the gymnastics world different from when you were in it? Thanks for all your insight on gymnastics, and I really love your website and blog."

A: Thanks for your great questions! First off, I still believe the 2008 Olympic Team should have been selected at the Olympic Trials. The process of three two-day competitions (two public, one private) within a six week period is too much to ask of the gymnasts, physically and emotionally. One can argue the "untimely" injuries (of Mattie Larson, Shayla Worley, and Chellsie Memmel) support my belief. Not to mention the gymnasts have to pack up and hop on a 20-hour flight to Beijing one week after the intense selection process comes to a close. Not only is final selection camp unnecessary, but it’s un-American. An "invitation only" audience of less than 60 people is not how the final selection of our Olympic team should be conducted. It belittles the accomplishment of becoming a U.S. Olympian. Five of the six gymnasts on the Olympic Team could've been named at Trials in front of 13,000 fans in Philadelphia. Why deny them the opportunity to be receiving public recognition and put them through another test? It's too brutal on their bodies and minds, and it’s too close the biggest competition in the world! I believe that the best team was selected, but I don't agree with HOW it was selected.

The sport has changed dramatically since my competitive days. The semi-centralized camp system was not in place, but let us not forget the recent success of our gymnasts is due to the efforts of the individual athletes and their coaches NOT the Karolyi camps. Martha simply cherry picks from the best athletes in the country. There's no mystical insight that she possesses.

In general, USA Gymnastics and the media are giving the Karolyi's too much credit for World and Olympic medals. They're not the coaches training these individual gymnasts on a daily basis, yet Martha Karolyi possesses the power to hand pick who she believes is most appropriate. She also determines much of the training plans once the team arrives in Beijing. I commend Shawn Johnson's coaches Liang Chow and Liwen Zhuang (wife) for their healthy and positive relationship with their athlete. Chow has trained Shawn since she was a little girl and that speaks volumes. I respect Chow and Li, and I think they practice the proper approach to training. They "train smarter, not harder". Shawn’s success and health are a testament to this method.

The gymnastics world is a different environment. We no longer have the power houses of the Eastern bloc countries, and the compulsory routines no longer exist. The compulsories made the very best gymnasts stand out because the athlete's fundamentals needed to be mastered in order to succeed. The "perfect 10" is also gone, and I really miss it! So A LOT has changed since I was a competitor; however, my love for the sport hasn’t wavered. It's still the greatest sport in the world!

Question from Michelle: "I have a question about something very confusing to me. When I was a kid just starting out in the gym, I read your book... and it made the Karolyi's seem like excellent people & coaches in your opinion. Now that you're older, you seem to disagree. I'm wondering if it's a matter of perspective, if in your youth & in the middle of your career as an elite gymnast you thought ANYTHING would be worth it in order to be at the top. The reason I ask is that if that's the case, do you believe the gymnast s involved in the national scene now need someone to step in and prevent this from happening? Almost like they can't see the whole picture because they're focusing only on winning and not on the big picture or life as whole? It just seems like that's the general idea you're implying & I'd like to know if it's true or not. Especially after reading several articles in the past couple days as well as seeing the interview last night. You will always be the gymnast who led me to gymnastics. Thank you."

A: Thank you for your kind words, and you hit the nail on the head. At fourteen years old, what else could I say about the Karolyi's? I was never allowed to speak out for fear of punishment. A common question is, "Why didn't you just leave if it was so bad?", and while that seems logical, bear in mind that the Olympics were literally weeks away when things were at their worst and my entire family had moved to Houston in hopes of seeing me reach my goal. Needless to say, it wouldn't have been easy to leave.

In order to see things clearly (not just gymnastics), one needs to step a way and look at the global picture. When you're in it, you're engrossed with the task at hand, and you lose site of the big picture. That's the normal progression of personal growth and maturity. Quite simply, I didn't know that training and treatment could be conducted in another manner. I just thought that, "this is how it has to be". I'm wiser now.


Question from Colleen: "Dominique, What do you think the chances of Team USA winning gold in Beijing are? Especially with Chinese gymnastics on such an upswing, and the games being in their home country. Do you think the Chinese will pull off what the Mag 7 did in 1996, or do you think the US will? Thanks so much for all your blogs and insight. I remember meeting you and playing chicken in the Karolyi pool right before you won Nationals. I forget that we grow up and get married and have babies. Congratulations on all your success!"

A: Mathematically, China is in control of their destiny. Their A-scores (Start Values) are higher than Team USA's A-scores. In fact, the Chinese team possesses about 1.7 points in A-score over the U.S. women. However, if we determined results based on potential, there’d be no need for competitions. Only time will tell of the China's "home court advantage" will truly benefit them. I can tell you from experience that competing at home brings a whole host of new pressures. The key is to use those pressures to one's advantage.

It’ll be a showdown for sure, and I can't wait to watch it unfold! I'm a fan of both teams, and I know that both teams respect one another. This is sure to be a true battle of the gymnastics powerhouses! I don’t think the gymnastics world has ever seen two teams so evenly matched. Have I told you that I can’t wait?!

Question from Corey & Steve: "Dominique, I have been watching gymnastics for years and it seems that the Russians and Romanians were the gymnastic superpowers for so long. They are not even mentioned in contention for gold. What happen to make their dynasties fall so hard and so quickly??

A: The collapse of the Soviet Union was the catalyst for the decline in results. The governments no longer have the money to fund strong sports programs and many of the best coaches from the Eastern Bloc have looked for other opportunities. Many of them have found opportunity in the United States which has helped the Team USA while taking some of the greatest gymnastics minds out of Europe. Good for Team USA, Bad for the former-Soviets and even Romanians. Nevertheless, Russia and Romania could surprise a lot of us in Beijing on both the men’s and women’s sides. You can never count them out; they still have plenty of beautiful gymnastics to show us, and I’ve got a feeling both Russia and Romania are going to come away from the Summer Games with several medals.


Question from Lisa: "Hi Dominique! This question is specifically about blocks and fear. Every once in a while my little gymnast becomes afraid of something she does all the time. And she gets stressed over all of a sudden being afraid. Do you have any words of wisdom on getting beyond that when it happens? Also, as the levels are getting more intense, she finds herself afraid to try some things even though she is reasonably sure she can do it. Once she DOES it, she can't figure out why she was afraid! She is 8, so I don't really stress this too much but, it’s frustrating to her and I hate for her to feel badly. Any advice? THANKS! AND CONGRATS ON THE BABY!"

A: This is very common. Since I've started coaching, I've encountered this with my own athletes. What I typically do is build the gymnast's confidence with basic drills and progressions. Sometimes we need to take a step back to take three steps forward. I emphasize patience. As the athlete displays mastery of each progression, the confidence grows, and before you know it, that once "scary" skill is much more palatable for the gymnast. This takes patience on the coach's and gymnast's part.

Sometimes the coach and athlete need to step back and find out what caused the fear in the first place. Was it a bad experience? Is it fear of the unknown? Once the coach and athlete get to the bottom of what is causing the fear, they can start chipping away at it and move on to building confidence. Your gymnast needs to realize that she is a better gymnast than she thinks, and as she moves through the proper steps she will unlock her great inner-gymnast. Good luck!



Question from Sarah: "Kudos to you for speaking out on the injustices in the sport of gymnastics. It's hard to speak out to begin with, and even harder to do so when you might be going against the grain. What I find so fascinating about your recent comments is that many people are quick to call this "sour grapes," yet seem to overlook the fact that gymnastics is so political and the reason many do not speak out (coaches, athletes, judges, etc.) is for fear of retaliation. What are your thoughts on this? Do you fear that your athletes or even your daughter may not be treated fairly in the future due to your comments? Has this weighed in on your decision to speak out? For the record, I applaud you for having the courage to speak out in efforts to right some of the wrongs in the sport of gymnastics. "

A: First off, thank you for your support! While I knew that it would be challenging, I believe that I'm doing the right thing to improve the future of our sport. I genuinely believe that I will help future athletes and that's what drives me. I've made it clear that I love gymnastics, and I only want to see it improve. Right now, open dialogue is NOT encouraged at the elite level. In fact, it's viewed as negative at the highest levels. Change is never easy in any facet of life, but it's necessary.

For example, if tennis legend Billie Jean King never spoke out, I would've never had the opportunity to achieve what I did in gymnastics. While, I don't claim to be a Billie Jean King, on a smaller scale, I’ll continue to stay the course, because I know that individuals will benefit in the long run. Also, confidentially I'm receiving lots of support from current and past athletes and coaches, so I know that I'm not alone.

I feel it's important that our Elite athletes leave the sport in healthier conditions physically and emotionally.

As for my daughter, I don't think that she'll be affected. I'm determined to help change the Elite scene for the better, and if Carmen chooses to pursue an Olympic Dream, it will be a healthier environment for her. The collegiate gymnastics scene is a perfect example of how high level gymnastics can be an enjoyable experience. Our elite program needs to take a page from the NCAA programs' book!

RAJ: GOOD LUCK IN BEIJING!

It was announced today that our good friend, Raj, will get the opportunity to compete in Beijing. This development comes after news that Paul Hamm chose to withdraw from the Olympic team due to injury. While it is never positive to lose an athlete, I think Paul made a good decision for Team USA, and am happy knowing that Raj will get the opportunity to represent our country in his first Olympic games. GOOD LUCK RAJ!

“This is a tremendous honor and the first feeling that comes to mind is that dreams can come true,” said Bhavsar, 27, who was an alternate on the 2004 Olympic Team.

“You never know when it will happen, but with enough positive intention and belief, it can. I am ready, willing and able to take on this great opportunity.

Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of a great athlete, Paul Hamm. My heart goes out to him. He did an admirable thing, and he will always be a hero in my eyes.

I also want to recognize the other two alternates, who are an important part of the soul and spirit of this team.”

If you would like to post well wishes for Raj, please comment to this post by clicking the "comments" link below. We'll make sure he gets your messages!

MORE ON OLYMPIC SELECTION; CATCHING UP WITH OLYMPIC HOPEFUL RAJ BHAVSAR

Thanks for all the comments regarding my last entry. As I alluded to in the last blog, the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team selection controversies are NOT confined to the Women's Program.

The Men's Program is guilty of unclear decisions with little to no accountability too!

Frankly, I'm tired of hearing the excuses of "the 6-3-3 format," "the rest of the world is selecting teams just like this," and "that's just how the numbers came out."

Regardless of the 6-3-3 format, decisions need to have a transparent rationale. Plain and simple, the athletes and coaches deserve explanations. Family members, fans, and media are also worthy of clarification.

Take a peak (below) at Olympic columnist Helene Elliot's article PRIOR to the Men's Olympic Team selection. The entire piece can be viewed in it's entirety at: LA Times.com

Dennis McIntyre, head of the men's program, said the committee will ignore gut feelings and go with empirical evidence.

"We're looking at what they're doing now, not what they did two years ago," he said.

Otherwise why have trials?

"Correct. Very correct," McIntyre said. "We're really looking at results. Sometimes when you're doing that, scenarios come up and an athlete that you might not think about comes up. And from the outside looking in it's 'How did he make the team?'

"But it really is about crunching numbers and making sure you give the team the best possible chance for success."

It sounds good on paper, but I'm not so certain Mr. McIntyre's sentiments are consistent with the committee's decisions. Can we see the empirical evidence? If this year's team was picked based on a computer program, I think USA Gymnastics needs to upgrade their software or upgrade the individuals entering the data!

By the way, when is the men's program going to make a statement regarding Morgan Hamm? USA Gymnastics' statement on July 3rd, 2008 stated that "USA Gymnastics will review this situation to determine how this may impact his qualification to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team."

It appears that several athletes' status with respect to the Olympic team remains in limbo. That doesn't appear to be very empirical. In fact, in a process that was supposed to be the most objective in recent years, this is quickly becoming the most slanted process we've ever witnessed.

Second, the rest of the world is NOT selecting teams like this. Here's an example... defending Olympic Mens Team Champions, Japan. Their Olympic team was not chosen based on this system.

I've personally witnessed what these "left-field" decisions do to individuals and their families, and while I don't propose that decisions be made to protect athlete's emotions, I subscribe to the belief that a thorough explanation can help answer questions and prevent unnecessary suffering for many athletes, coaches, and family members.

Raj Bhavsar NEVER received a formal explanation for the 2004 men's selection committee decision, and I'm confident that he's not holding his breathe for an explanation this time around.

For those of you that regularly visit the site, you know that my husband and I are close to Raj. In fact, he was Mike's best man in our wedding. I know how 2004 affected Raj, because I witnessed it first-hand.

Raj isn't the only one suffering for this practice. National Champion David Sender and crowd-pleaser Sean Golden are still scratching their heads about Olympic Team selection after their Olympic roads came to end, having not been selected to the Olympic Training Squad.

I think most will agree that our athletes deserve better treatment.

It's time for USA Gymnastics to start taking some responsibility for their decisions. If the Men's and Women's Selection Committees made their team selections more transparent, we might not agree with their decisions, but perhaps we would gain an appreciation for their perspective. Presently, many of us feel as if they are "hiding" something.

Which begs the question, why don't they make their rationale more open? Is the process too complex for the minds of gymnastics enthusiasts to comprehend? Could it be that they believe that athletes, coaches, fans are not capable of following their line of thinking? Is the decision-making process not anyone's business?

Unfortunately, our beloved sport has found itself wrapped up in gobs of controversy in the most recent Olympic Games (2000, 2004), and now it appears that we're moving toward the trend of starting the controversy before the Games even begin!

I can't sit back and watch this happen, because I care too much about gymnastics. I suggest that USA Gymnastics help our sport by supporting changes in the selection of our Olympic Teams.

Dominique-Moceanu.com sat down with Raj Bhavsar to take a closer look at the person and gymnast that we like to call "The People's Champ."

Please note, this interview was conducted the week PRIOR to the U.S. Men's Olympic Team training camp at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

D-M.com: Raj congratulations on a great showing at the Winter Cup, U.S. Championships, and Olympic Trials. We were bewildered when you weren't named to this year's Olympic Team. Can you share some of your thoughts with us?

RB: Thanks. I was shocked too, but that part of my Olympic run was out of my control. Right now, I'm focused on my mental and physical preparation, so I haven't had time to sit back and rehash the decision.

In the months following 2004 Games, I blamed myself for not making the team, and I questioned what I could've done to solidify a spot to compete in Athens.

By 2005, I came to the realization that I'd done everything in my power to prove myself, and the team selection had less to do with my performance and more to do with outside factors. I've found peace in that, and I believe my mindset is going to allow me to be successful in 2008.

Was I disappointed with the most recent selection? Of course, but I have a CRITICAL role as an alternate to this year's Olympic team, and that's where I've chosen to focus my energy.

I hit 23 out of 24 routines during the selection process; I'm healthy, and prepared to compete. I'll continue to do my best!

D-M.com: Following the 2004 Olympics, there was some discussion about you competing for India. Was that a serious consideration? If so, do you regret not pursuing that option?

RB: Yeah, there was some discussion about it, and I'm proud of my Indian heritage, but I've always dreamed of becoming a U.S. Olympian, so I didn't seriously pursue the India option.

You'd think that the men's program's recent decision would make me second-guess my thoughts, but it really hasn't. I've done everything in my power to be selected to the team and I have no regrets about my performances since the Winter Cup which is when this entire process began. My mind and body are sound.

D-M.com: Many of us were heartbroken after hearing the selection committee's decision. Did you consider refusing to take the alternate position?

RB: Absolutely not.

Four years ago, I took the responsibility of being an Olympic Team alternate seriously. I trained very hard after the team was selected, and I trained extremely hard while in Athens. It wasn't easy, but I conducted myself like a professional.

Four years later, I continue to take this position seriously. Maybe even more seriously than in Athens. I'm prepared to help Team USA.

There were a lot of questions marks in 2004 and maybe even more in 2008, so I'll continue to remain focused on my Olympic preparation. I can deal with the emotional part later, but I've made it clear that I'M READY TO COMPETE. I WAS READY TO COMPETE IN ATHENS FOUR YEARS AGO, AND I'M READY TO COMPETE IN BEIJING.

I know that I didn't go through the growth, soul-searching, and anguish over the last four years to end up in "the same place" I did in 2004. When I say "same place", I don't necessarily mean the alternate position. I'm talking about my entire outlook and profile. I'm a healthier person than I was four years ago, and I'll be rewarded. I just don't know when that'll be.

The two years following Athens were really difficult for me, but I grew and learned so much about my personal pursuit of happiness.

I refuse to let the selection committee's decision to negatively impact me like it did four years ago.

D-M.com: is your approach to the upcoming Olympic Team Training Squad Camp?

RB: I'm going to continue to display how prepared I am for the 2008 Olympic Games! Nothing more. Nothing less. I'm healthy emotionally and physically. All they have to do is say the word, and I'm ready to compete! If there is a change in plans, I'm 100% ready to fill the void! My track record demonstrates that.

D-M.com: Anything you'd like to add?

RB: I want to thank all of the individuals that have supported me throughout my career, and especially those that have supported my over the last four years.

This time around, I really felt that people knew my story. I felt them pushing me forward, and I felt the sense of support in crowd reactions in Houston and Philadelphia. I felt support and kindness through compliments I've received all year long. I've had people that aren't even gymnastics fans telling me how much they've enjoyed my performances this year! That counts for something. In particular, I'd like to thank my family for their support. I hope that I'll continue to make them proud

D-M.com: Thanks for taking the time to talk to us. Good luck!

RB: Thank you for your continued support.

CATCHING UP WITH WORLD CHAMPION ALICIA SACRAMONE

DM: Congratulations on your team gold and personal accomplishments at the 2007 Stuttgart World Championships! Not only did you serve as a leader and a competitive "rock" for the U.S. gold medal-winning team, but you brought home individual medals, a silver and bronze on floor and vault, respectively. As with any World Championships, there's an entire spectrum of emotions, we'd love to hear about your Stuttgart experience!

AS: The day of departure for Stuttgart, we actually had training in the morning in Houston, which was light (only conditioning and some Bars and Beam). After morning workout, we showered quickly, packed our things up and made our way to the airport. We flew to Newark, and from Newark, we had our 7 hour flight to Frankfurt. Once we arrived in Frankfurt, we had to collect our bags and then take a 3 hour bus ride to Stuttgart. Once we finally got to Stuttgart, we settled into our hotel and got some lunch. After a few hours of rest, we trained at a local gym for a few hours just to get our bodies moving.

DM: What was the intensity level like during your first practice in Germany? Were the younger team members nervous? Were you nervous? What was the vibe like between the athletes, coaches and Marta Karolyi?

AS: The first day of official training is always kind of crazy. Everyone is a little stressed from traveling, and it isn't always the best workout. Marta and the coaches were relatively calm, which made practice run a little more smoothly. I was very proud of the younger girls on the team. They handled themselves very well, and they didn't get distracted by the other teams in the gym. We went in, did our assignments and left.

DM: Team USA had an impressive team total after the preliminary competition. Team USA was in a similiar position at last year's World Championships. What were your thoughts heading into the team finals?

AS: Going into finals, the team was confident that we could do well. We had high hopes and expectations. I knew that if we went into the competition and performed well, we would have a good chance at the gold...but I knew it wasn't going to be easy. The girls were pumped up after prelims and were thinking we had it in the bag already, but Nastia and I had to give them a little “come to Jesus talk” to remind them that last year we were in this same position and came home with a silver, which brought them back to reality. I told them that it was going to be a hard meet, and we couldn't hold back if we wanted that gold medal!

DM: It was clear that you functioned well as the emotional leader and captain of Team USA. How did you keep your teammates calm? Was there anything special you'd say to motivate them?
AS: The role of team leader came natural to me. I was the oldest and one of the most experienced, and I felt that it was my job to help out the younger girls as much as I could. When the time came for us to compete, everyone was excited and a little nervous. I just told the girls that they have worked hard for this, and I knew they had it in them to help bring our team to the top.

DM: We'll never forget your display of emotions after your floor routine in the team final! It was clear that you knew Team USA had won the gold medal. Your tears appeared to represent relief and achievement. Can you share with us what was going through your mind?

AS: After my floor routine, it was like all the stress that had been on my shoulders had been lifted off. I knew in my heart that we had won even before that score came out. Then the tears came, it was like all of my emotions that I've held in through the whole competition came out right then and there after that routine. It's the best feeling in the world knowing that your routine and your score is what clinched that gold medal we wanted so badly.

DM: After coming off the high of winning the team gold, you returned to the event finals to earn a bronze on vault and a silver on floor . Your reaction after your floor routine showed us that you were not satisfied. What was going on in your head?

AS: The first thing that went through my mind after that 2 1/2 layout was, "I AM NOT FALLING ON THIS!" I tried to cover the bobble up quickly and finish my routine, which I managed to do. I'm not going to lie...I was upset after seeing my score. Even though I knew it wasn't my best floor routine, I only really had that bobble, and I had the thought in my mind that I had wanted to get my floor title back.

DM: Overall, there is no doubt that you must be pleased to earn "the complete set" of gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2007 Worlds Championships. What was the highlight of the competition for you?

AS: It was definitely bringing home that Team Gold medal. Having fallen short last year, it was really important to us to get the job done this year, and we did.

DM: What was your highlight of your trip to Germany, outside of the competitive arena?

AS: My highlight of the overall trip was all of the quality time I got to spend with the girls. We are so close now that it’s like we are sisters. I also had a blast the one morning we got off when we went into town and got to meet up with our parents and go shopping for a few hours.

DM: What are your plans for your education for the remainder of this year and 2008? Marta Karolyi strongly suggested that you not participate in NCAA Collegiate Gymnastics this upcoming season. Will you continue to take classes at Brown University?

AS: This year I will be attending Brown and taking classes but I will not be competing gymnastics for them. I'm putting my main focus on classes and training for the Olympics.

DM: Good for you! Did Marta advise you not to attend classes this year? How do you feel about this decision? Did you feel pressured?

AS: No, Marta never told me not to go back to school. She just told me that if I wanted to be on the Olympic Team, I needed to focus on elite gymnastics and not compete NCAA, which I knew I had to do anyways.

DM: You've been quoted as saying that college life and collegiate gymnastics helped keep you "sane." Do you think you can keep your sanity by focusing on elite gymnastics only as you head into the 2008 Olympic season?

AS: I think as long as I am still in school, going to class and such, I will be able to keep my sanity while training for the Olympics. My roommates are great and support everything I'm doing and always try to help me out when I’m having a rough time.

DM: What would you say are the benefits of being a student-athlete? How has it kept you balanced with the intensity of elite gymnastics also on your shoulders? What keeps you most balanced (friends, ipod, yoga, etc.)?

AS: Attending Brown and taking part in a collegiate sport has given me a sense of normalcy in my life. Most elite level gymnasts don't get the opportunity to have a life outside gymnastics and I feel blessed to have this opportunity to do what I love and get an education and have a social life at the same time. My friends and music is what keeps me the most balanced when I'm stressing.

DM: As you know, I'm a big fan of collegiate gymnastics. Tell us what competing for Brown University was like for you? You've had quite an impressive competitive season while balancing a full course load.

AS: I loved competing for Brown this last year. It was a great learning experience. The girls are amazing, and I'm going to miss competing with them. I loved the team atmosphere. It was so different from the individual elite scene that I've grown accustomed to. I definitely think that competing back to back and every weekend for 12 weeks boosted my consistency, especially on beam.

**Alicia has recently made the decision to declare her professional status. If you wish to contact her, she can be reached through Kelly at Trinity One Marketing, 617-833-9912.

SVETLANA, THE SWAN!

Reminiscing with one of our favorite gymnastics legends... Svetlana Boguinskaia: The Belarussian Swan! Can you believe it’s been 18 years since she won her World All-Around Title?


DM: What was is like returning to Stuttgart, Germany to the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle arena you won your World Championship 18 years? Where you nervous, excited?

SB: I was both very nervous and very excited at the same time, but when I got there I felt perfect and calm. The arena looked exactly the same as it was 18 years ago.

DM: You made a “last minute” decision to attend the emotional voyage back to Stuttgart. What urged you to attend this year’s World Championship’s?

SB: Gymnastics was and still is such a big part of my life and I thought to myself, “Why not go to watch the World’s especially in a place where I became World Champion!”

DM: Did the Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Halle arena appear the same as in your memories from 1989?

SB: Exactly the same. I thought it might look smaller, but it was not.

DM: What were your impressions of the 2007 World Championships? Describe your feelings as you witnessed the bronze medal slip away from Russia due to a silly error?

SB: Watching it live was absolutely amazing!!!!! I loved it! The German crowd was very supportive to gymnasts from all countries and I liked that a lot. I was thinking that I was once one of the young gymnasts competing for a medal and probably many of the same spectators came to see me 18 years ago.

I felt bad for the Russian team. They did not have any luck at this event, but we all learn from our mistakes and I think that they will be a much better team next year at the Olympics.

DM: What are your lasting impressions of the 2007 World Championships? What impressed you the most? Least?

I was most impressed with level of difficulty in both male and female gymnastics. I was least impressed with fact that even with a fall you can still get a medal. In my time you have to be perfect or near perfect to get a medal but not today. I am not sure if I like that.

DM: Did you run into any familiar faces at the World Championships? Any friends you really wanted to see that you haven't seen in a long time? If so, how was the reunion?

SB: Yes, I did. Many coaches who coached other gymnasts on my USSR Team were there. I ran into Coach Elena Shushonova, who I have not seen in about 17 years! My former teammate from the 1988 Olympic team, Elena Shevchenko, came to judge with the Russian Team. I was very excited to meet Elena Davidova from the 1980 Olympic Games. She won the All-Around and many other titles.

DM: Did you run in our former-coach Marta Karolyi? If so, how was that encounter?

SB: I came to congratulate her on the success of the U.S. Women’s Team and she said, “Thanks,” and that was it. She is a busy woman and everyone wanted to talk to her.

DM: Finally, your visit to Stuttgart was an emotional homecoming and time of reflection, please tell us about your 1989 All-Around World Championship dedication to your coach, Lubov Miromanova, who had passed away in 1988.

What did it mean for you to dedicate your "win" to your coach that passed away? There is much mystery surrounding her death, can you give us a glimpse into that personal time in your life. What your emotions when you found out. How did you cope with it?

SB: My coach’s name was Lubov Miromanova. She passed away right after the 1988 Olympics Games. She committed suicide. I don’t want to go into details, but it was very hard for me to go through all of the emotions at age 15 and 16 years old. When I won the 1989 World All-Around title, I felt that I did it for her and because of her I won. She was an excellent coach and a mentor and I was very proud to have my World title a year after her death. I felt that she was very proud of me too.

FUN FACT: Coincidentally, current U.S. World Champion, Shawn Johnson, won the same 3 gold medals (Team, All-Around and Floor) as Boguinskaia.

Svetlana is currently the loving mother of Ania and Brandon Ye and manages her own business and Summer Camps.
You can find more information at www.ogccamp.com


DM: Thanks Sveta! You will always be among our favorites!


Svetlana has been kind enough to share her personal photo album from Stuttgart with DM.com!

(Svetlana with: Leonid Archaev,Oksana Chusovitina, Daria Joura, Eberhard Geinger, Jackie Fie, Elena Davidova, Yuri Korolev, and Oleg Ostapenko)

2007 WORLDS

The 2007 World Championships have come and gone and what an exciting competition it was! The U.S. women displayed perserverance until the very end of the competition, bringing home two more gold medals, two silvers and a bronze in the event finals.

WAY TO GO NASTIA, ALICIA, AND SHAWN!

GO PEANUT!

Congratulations, Shawn "Peanut" Johnson! What a strong showing at this young lady's first World Championship. Her world title truly represents how a healthy coach/athlete relationship can yield tremendous results! I'm so proud of her! What an accomplishment! GO PEANUT!

GO TEAM USA!

MANY CONGRATULATIONS TO THE GYMNASTS AND THEIR INDIVIDUAL COACHES FOR THEIR DEDICATION AND HARD WORK ON THIS ACHIEVEMENT. THIS IS THE FIRST U.S. WOMEN'S TEAM TO WIN THE TEAM WORLD TITLE ON NON-U.S. SOIL! THE FIRST U.S. WORLD TEAM TITLE WAS EARNED IN ANAHEIM IN 2003.

US CHAMPIONSHIPS

WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR MAKES!

Last year, I was preparing to compete in the 2006 Visa Championships, and today I’m more than halfway through my first pregnancy. I think that my Florida buddy, Shayla Worley, said it best when she e-mailed me, “Gymnastics seem so much less important now after that news.” Shayla never ceases to surprise me with the things she says, and once again she’s proven to be wise beyond her years. Thanks Worley!

The 2007 Visa Championships have come and gone, and this is the first U.S. Championships that I haven’t attended in 15 YEARS!!!! I’ve viewed this year’s championships from a unique perspective through message boards, quick-hit coverage, YouTube videos (THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR FOOTAGE!), and the national broadcast serving as my experience rather than being on the floor or in the stands. Believe it or not, I had a lot of fun despite not being in San Jose.

This year’s competition was interesting due to injuries, the close proximity to the World Championships, the frequency of major errors, the status of some veterans, and the arrival of some newcomers. I was pleased to see that the cleanest gymnasts finished close to the top on both the men’s and women’s fields, but once again I was disappointed with the scant number of female competitors. From a fan’s perspective, it’s disappointing to not even have 20 athletes in the meet. Is it a reflection of the Elite Women’s Program? I don’t have the answer.

Overall, I think that the U.S. Team is sending a strong women’s team to Stuttgart and satisfactory men’s team. I believe that both teams will qualify to next year’s Olympic Games.

First off, I want to dispense a hearty congratulations to Shawn Johnson for continuing to plow through the competition. I applaud her coaches’ approach to her training and attitude, and perhaps the national team coordinator should take a page from Chow and Li’s book and “train smarter, not harder”. Only time will tell.

What makes Shawn’s dominance even more special is that she looks to be one of only a few girls out on the floor that appears to be having a great time. I’ve known “Peanut” (my nickname for Shawn) for several years, and I’m so happy to see her do so well. Shawn’s an animal lover, and she’s really a happy person, and I can’t say it enough, I’m really happy that she’s doing so well. GO PEANUT!

I met her in Iowa while doing a personal appearance at her gym, and I’ve known all along that she’s got the physical ability. But what I really love about her is that she would probably be just as happy with winning the National Championships as she would with walking puppies in the park or playing with some kittens and yarn.

I’m really happy for Alicia Sacramone for her efforts in San Jose. She showed everyone that the mold of the “home schooled one-dimensional gymnast” is obsolete. It blows my mind that Alicia is stepping into the “mother hen” role of the US team. I remensice back to the days when I was training with Mihai and Sylvia Brestyan back in 1997, and she was a 9-year old miniature gymnast. Stay healthy Alicia!

I mentioned Shayla Worley earlier, and I’m glad that she’s back in the mix. Last year, I remember sitting in the stands with her and seeing how disappointed she was, because she couldn’t compete due to injury. Now she’s a going to be a significant factor in the US team effort, and she’s back on the competitive floor where she’s most happy!

I really feel for University of Illinois gymnast, Justin Spring. His torn ACL was a real downer. Justin has steadily gained international attention for his dynamic performances, and it was disappointing to see him go down after such a strong effort on Day 2 of the men’s competition. His injury will have a direct impact on Team USA’s effort in Stuttgart. Mike was in close communication with both Justin and his coach in the days following the injury, and I’m happy to report that Justin has a detailed plan on how to make this injury work to his advantage. His spirits are up, and we all look ahead to his speedy recovery and return to the competitive scene. His gymnastics has always raised the eyebrows of the judges, competitors, and audience members.

Kudos to Paul and Morgan Hamm for completing their first competition since the Athens Games. There have been so many opinions about their comeback, both positive and negative, but I really commend them for finding the motivation to return to a sport that’s so challenging emotionally, physically, and politically. Perhaps I just see a little of my comeback effort in their return. They’ve accomplished so much in the sport and when one looks at all that they are up against (China’s home court advantage, the current physical demands of gymnastics, the political issues domestically and internationally, etc.) it’s amazing that they are willing to go “one more round” when there are seemingly more reasons favoring retirement. Mike spent a lot of time with Paul and Morgan this summer both inside and outside of the gym, and from what he says; some of their best gymnastics is yet to come. Good for them.

While the Hamms only gave us a glimpse (they only competed on 2 events a piece) of their gymnastics, they have big plans in the works with the introduction of a new men’s uniform and a new skill on floor exercise. Morgan’s “airflair” is sure to get some international attention. Even though gymnastics is getting harder, originality has seemed to plateau, but this “airflair” (which has its roots in breakdancing) seems to be a step in the right direction.

Morgan’s been working on this skill since September of 2006, and I’ve had the good fortune of seeing its progress through videos Morgan sent to Mike. Gymnastics needs to return to emphasizing creativity and artistry, and this skill does just that as it looks to another art form (breakdancing) to add a dimension to gymnastics. You can check out this and more at www.makingtheolympics.com

Even though it has been 11 years since the Atlanta Olympics, I’m not so certain that gymnastics has evolved, and I think that our friend Dwight Normile said it best when he stated, “Gymnastics is like television, in that there are more channels available, but less to watch”. I can’t help but think to myself, “How different gymnastics would look if compulsory routines were still a part of the sport.” I’m a gymnastics fan for life, and I think that’s why we need to have these thoughts.

With the 2008 Beijing Olympics less than a year away, I’m getting really excited!!!!! Just as their motto for The Games says, “We are ready!”, and I have no doubt that they mean it. Since my competitive days, I’ve always admired the Chinese athletes. Even though, I was discouraged from watching “the competition”, I remember not being able to resist watching the Chinese greats like Mo Huilan and Kui YuanYuan do some beautiful work. I can barely wait to see what the Chinese do in Beijing. I feel that they will finally earn what they’ve been capable of earning for decades.

Check out the Olympic theme song at http://en.beijing2008.cn/video/promotional/weareready/

If Team USA’s Women’s gymnastics team achieves success next year in China, it will be the result of a collective effort from the individual coaches’ and athletes’ hard work and smart planning. Success will not be the result of one person or small committee of people. I can say this with certainty.

I still receive a great deal of e-mails regarding my feelings about how my comeback ended last year, and while I was naturally upset for some time, I know (in the words of Paul Ziert) “that gymnastics is something you do, it is not who you are”. I’m learning the meaning of that each day, and with our baby on the way, it means even more to me, and I continue to pass that thought on to many gymnasts that I mentor.

Do I miss competitive gymnastics? Yes, because there is nothing like competing, but I’M REALLY HAPPY, and I don’t rely on USA Gymnastics to provide my happiness. USAG made it very clear that they do not need me, and I’ve accepted that, and I aim to enjoy and promote gymnastics on my terms without having to compete.

THE BABY’S KICKING!

Dominique