Happy July 4th from Gymnastike!

Happy July 4th from Gymnastike!

Happy July 4th from Gymnastike!

Jul 1, 2013 by Elizabeth Stranahan
Happy July 4th from Gymnastike!
Happy Independence Day from Gymnastike! We are so excited to celebrate the red, white, and blue, as well as covering the fireworks occurring in the gymnastics arena! Today kicks off the National Elite Qulifier at the Ranch. The National Team along with some elite hopefuls returned to the Karolyi Ranch this week to perfect their skills and hopefully impress the National Committee. Keep up with all the action of the Elite Qualifier and Saturday's American Classic here on Gymnastike!

But before the competition heats up, we wanted to reflect back on some of the greatest moments in American Gymnastics history. Reminisce on the patriotic pride we felt as these athletes defined the USA Gymnastics tradition.



In 1984, sixteen year old Mary Lou Retton became the first American woman to win the Individual All Around Olympic Gold at the Los Angeles Olympics. A knee surgery just weeks prior to the meet almost kept Retton from the competition entirely, but through perserverence she earned her spot. At the Games, Retton trailed behind Romanian Ecaterina Szabo after the second event. A fight to the finish, Retton earned two perfect 10's on her final two rotations, the floor and the vault, giving her the gold by 0.05 points. A dramatic finish and a truly golden moment in USA gymnastics.


In 1996, Olympic Team members Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Dominique Dawes, Amy Chow, Kerri Strug, Jaycie Phelps, and Amanda Borden earned the title the Magnificent Seven when they did what no American team had done before: won gold in the team final. The Soviets defended the title in every previous Olympic Games since the 1950s, but in Atlanta, the Magnificent Seven stepped up to the challenge. In a true demonstration of the fragility of gymnastics glory, American star Moceanu shocked the crowd when she fell on both of her vaults putting the pressure on teammate Kerri Strung. After twisting her ankle on her first vault, Strug nailed the landing of her second amazingly on one foot! Immediately after saluting, Strug had to be carried off the mat, but her performance ensured USA the gold and her enduring spirit lands her in our favorite gymnastics moments.


At the 2004 Athens Olympics, Carly Patterson became the second American woman to take home the individual All Around title. Despite a low score on the vault, Patterson performed well on the remaining three and held off Russian rival Svetlana Khorkina. Patterson's all around win holds special significance as she is the first American to take the crown at a non-boycotted Olympics. 


At the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Nastia Liukin became the third American woman to win All Around Individual gold. In the all around final, Liukin amazingly stuck three out of her four landings. She also tied with legend Shannon Miller for the most medals won at a non-boycotted Olympics during her Beijing competition. Liukin's teammate Shawn Johnson finished second in the all around final marking the first time Americans have gone one-two in the all around final and the fourth time in history members from the same country placed first and second. 


Last summer, the Fierce Five, made up of members Aly Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, Kyla Ross, and McKayla Maroney, became the second American team to ever bring home the gold in the Olympic Team final. At the 2012 London Olympics, the Fierce Five started their prowess on the vault where Wieber, Douglas, and Maroney performed the three highest scoring vaults of the night. Maroney's stuck Anamar remains an iconic moment of that night, and the Americans never relinquished their lead. Astounding performances from all five members earned them team gold. Team member Gabby Douglas went on to secure the individual all around title for herself as well becoming the fourth American woman and first African American woman to do so.


Have a favorite moment that did not make our list? Tell us your favorite moment in American Gymnastics in the comments below!

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