All my life I've wanted nothing more than to talk to an Olympic gymnast. I've had a couple of them as coaches for a week at camp, and I think I ran into Dominique Dawes one time unless that was a dream... but now I'm a professional! I can really talk to them!
And I finally got the chance when Gabby Douglas called the station during Corey's show.
We didn't get a lot of time with her, only a couple minutes, so I tried to plan some things out ahead of time. As a gymnast, from the same area, I felt like it'd be the best interview ever! I failed to remember that most gymnasts don't believe someone when they say "I was a gymnast too!" until they see them doing a double-back or some intense skill. [I think I had more credibility to talk to Olympians when I was a tiny little gymnast.]
Still, it was neat to talk to her, ask her about her schedule and growing up, and give her an opportunity to clear the air about the "trash talking" she did about her former gym.
Corey's mad I asked her that question, but the people gotta know! Was she really treated as awful as she said? Seems like it... but it also seems like she's strong enough [or trained enough] to "move on from it."
She's still a cute girl, and even though I've now had two awkward moments of time with her [I "met" her at an AT&T a couple months ago for about .5 seconds after hours of waiting], I think she's great and am totally rooting for her now and in Rio!
....even though she made me feel silly for choosing "real life experience" over gymnastics.
Watching the Olympics this year literally has me stunned. Even though I was a gymnast for 15 years, it seems like a completely different sport to me. Not only is the entire scoring system totally different [so I can't even pretend like I know what I'm talking about], but the skills are so incredibly advanced that even my former coach is shocked.
I don't think any of us need to see old videos as proof, but I decided to look back at some of the most notable gymnasts in the past 30 years, and show you just how much the sport has changed. I think it's easiest to tell when watching a beam routine, but since that's not normally the favorite event to watch, I have some examples from all of them.
VAULT
The horse changed in the early 2000s, but I don't think that had a whole lot to do with the skill level increase.
Nadia Comaneci- 1980
Kerri Strug, epic vault of 1996
Jordyn Wieber, 2012 Olympic Trials
BARS
The bars used to be a lot closer together, so the types of skills have changed quite a bit... but notice all the release moves and different ways of gripping the bar Gabby does compared to Kim.
Nadia's perfect 10!
Kim Zmeskal- 1992
Gabby Douglas- 2012 [practice]
BEAM
It used to be simple and dancy, with a couple mandatory skills. Now it's an unbelievable amount of connections/series of skills.
FLOOR
You'll notice quite a bit of dancing early on... but now it's nothing but skill after skill [and not as much sticking].
Mary Lou Retton- 1984
Dominique Dawes- 2000 [trials, but she made it!]
Gabby Douglas- 2012 Trials
I'm really upset it's so hard to find good quality videos, but whatever... that's not the point.
It's crazy to watch the routines from the 80s again because I could have easily done any of those routines while I was in my prime. In the 90s, there was no way I'd be doing most of those skills, but I could if I really worked hard. The things they're doing now- oh hell no. They've been brainwashed into not being afraid of ANYTHING.
Kudos, gymnasts of today. You're truly incredible. And to the gymnasts of tomorrow and another decade from now- I'm terrified of and for you. I can't even imagine what they'll be coming up with.
