Welcome to the newest series on Gymnastike! Each week we'll highlight a famous gymnast from history to give our younger gymnasts or new gymnastics fans an understanding of who came before the gymnastics stars of today.

When Anne first told me that there are young, aspiring Olympic gymnasts around the country that have never heard of Shannon Miller my first thought was, “How could a gymnast not know who Shannon Miller is?” We then realized that we had not only dated ourselves, but that a new series needed to be started, which is how “Gymnast of the Week” was born.

Staying on topic of Shannon Miller--Shannon Miller, also known as America’s Most Decorated Gymnast, is our first gymnast of the week. Shannon Miller, who was once a member of the 1992 Olympic team and 1996 Magnificent Seven Olympic team, is now a radio talk show host, well-fit program director, and a mom!

As an 1992 Olympic team member she won 2 silver medals on the all-around and balance beam, as well as 3 bronze medals for the team all-around, the uneven bars, and floor exercise. While her 1992 Olympic premier was impressive, nothing could prepare her for the years to come where in 1993 at Worlds Championships she won the gold medal on the individual all-around, uneven bars, and floor exercise, along with the silver medal for the team. 1994 proved to be a spectacular year for her as well where she won the gold medal all around and balance beam title at the 1994 Worlds Championships. The years leading up to the 1996 Olympic games were stepping stones for what would happen next, where she would lead the American women to their first ever team gold medal, as well as winning the first ever gold medal on balance beam for an American gymnast. At the end of her gymnastics career Miller had accumulated 7 Olympic medals and 9 Worlds Championships medals, an accomplishment that has yet to be defeated.

Not only does Shannon Miller have an impressive gymnastics resume, she also holds a BBA of Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Houston and a law degree from Boston College. Miller has created her own foundation that is dedicated to fighting childhood obesity and she has recently started the Shannon Miller Lifestyle: Health and Fitness for Women.

For young gymnasts that have grown-up in the Carly Patterson, Nastia Luikin, and Shawn Johnson era, I understand why Shannon Miller might have taken a backburner to today’s gymnastics superstars, but remember where those girls looked when they were younger; at other gymnastics superstars like Shannon Miller, not only America’s most decorated gymnast but a role-model for girls and women across the country.

Welcome to the newest series on Gymnastike and be sure to check back next week for more!

Here is the routine that won Shannon Miller the 1996 Gold Medal on Balance Beam. Check out her signature skill at 1 minute.


Watch more videos with Shannon Miller