Gymnast Jordyn Wieber poses for a portrait during the 2012 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summit in Dallas, Texas May 14, 2012. LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: rtrlfive240088.
Gymnastics has always been one of my favorite Olympic sports, although it’s kind of double edged. On one hand, I love watching the grace, beauty, and pure athleticism of the gymnasts. On the other, it makes me wonder what I’ve been doing with my life when I see twelve year olds winning Olympic medals.
In 2008, Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin captured the heart of America. We loved watching the duo flip, twist, and turn for our colors. Nastia took gold for the Individual all-around, Shawn took silver. Shawn took gold on the balance beam, and Nastia took silver. Nastia had one more silver in the uneven bars, and Shawn took one more silver in the floor where Nastia took bronze. The duo helped lead the USA team to a silver medal finish. Watch this video, it gave me chills and really captures all the emotions that go into an Olympian. Remember Carly Patterson from Athens? I was a huge fan of her as well.
But now it’s 2012. True, the Olympic USA Team has not yet been named (it will be decided by the end of June) but one girl to keep your eye on is Jordyn Wieber. At 17 years old, Jordyn is certain to be a gold medalist contender unless something awful happens, such as an injury (knock on wood). Check out this video of her competing in Tokyo, Japan. I’m watching it alone and it had me audibly saying “cool”.
Jordyn Wieber of the US performs the floor exercises during the 2012 AT&T American Cup at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 3, 2012. Wieber won in the women’s division of the all-around competition for both men and women. The cup is part of the FIG’s World Series Cup series and is one of four all-around World Cup events in 2012.TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour325269.
July 1st is when the team will be named. The team consists of five girls and three alternates. Right now, four of the spots are pretty much guaranteed, with Jordyn holding one of them. Nastia Luikin is competing with another girl for the final spot.
Jordyn Wieber on the balance beam during practice at the UIC Pavillion in Chicago the day before the Secret Classic Competition. Some of the women will find a place on the U.S. Olympic team going to London this summer.
Jordyn started gymnastics when she was 4 and started competing when she was 11. Winning multiple titles and medals, Jordyn spent most of 2009 sitting because of a hamstring injury and 2010 out with an ankle injury. Coming back strong in 2011, she took the gold medal at the American Cup in the all around and also became world champion. Giving her an edge is her pure “competitive grit” as the experts say.
Jordyn Wieber of the USA performs during the women’s individual all around final of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, 13 October 2011. Wieber won the gold medal. ROBIN UTRECHT/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newcom.com: epaphotos157097.
Her expertise comes in the vault, where she does high level tricks flawlessly and the beam (start the video at 1:15) where she does a standing full.
Jordyn will be fun to watch as America cheers her on. Reminiscent of the Shawn- Nastia duo, Jordyn may be able to pair up with rising star Gabrielle Douglas to give us the same thrills. Hopefully Jordyn will be able to step into our hearts with Carly, Nastia, and Shawn.
June 10, 2012 – St. Louis, Missouri, United States of America – JORDYN WIEBER during the final day of the 2012 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastic’s national championships, Women’s Senior Competition in St. Louis, MO, Wieber would go on to win the competition, along with qualifying for the Olympic try outs and making the National Team.Richard Ulreich/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive448112.
Jordyn Wieber of the US performs on the balance beam during the 2012 AT&T American Cup at Madison Square Garden in New York City on March 3, 2012. Wieber won in the women’s division of the all-around competition for both men and women. The cup is part of the FIG’s World Series Cup series and is one of four all-around World Cup events in 2012. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour325245.
JORDYN WIEBER of Geddert’s practices her vault during day one of the 2012 Visa Championships, USA Gymnastic’s national championships, Women’s Senior Competition in St. Louis, MO. At the end of day one, WIEBER was tied for first place. Richard Ulreich/ZUMA Press/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: zumawireworldphotosfive443143.
Jordyn Wieber of the USA reacts after winning the gold medal in the women’s individual all around final of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Tokyo, Japan. FRANCK ROBICHON/EPA/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: epaphotos156880.
Jordyn Wieber of the US perform on the floor exercises during the 2012 AT&T American Cup at Madison Square Garden in New York on March 3, 2012. Wieber won in the women’s division of the all-around competition for both men and women, is part of the FIG’s World Series Cup series and is one of four all-around World Cup events in 2012. TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images/Newscom. Find it on Newscom.com: afplivefour325256.
Check out more pictures that we have of this rising star back at Newscom.
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Tags: gymnastics, jordan wieber, london 2012, Olympics, summer games