By the conclusion of the 2012 London Games last Sunday, promising 12-year-old gymnast Alexandra Davids had already begun working diligently on an inspiring personal backstory for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.
“I’ll have to get cut from a team at some point or maybe fall just short at a really important competition,” said Davids, who added that temporarily living in a homeless shelter … would make her story more touching.
“If I could suffer some sort of serious injury and have doctors tell me I’ll never be able to compete again, that’d be perfect. Basically anything where I can capture the hearts and minds of the entire nation by defying the odds to win.” …
How did you feel about going back to the gym after London?
Bulimar: It was like coming back from holidays. It’s just a normal training stage: you slowly start learning new skills with next year’s competitions already in mind.
Iordache: I had to take in the disappointment after London so it was a bit more difficult for me. I moved on with the help of my coaches and team mates. I’m already thinking about next year’s European and World Championships. I really want to work hard to do better there.
Have you got used to using grips on bars?
Bulimar: Yesss. It took us a while to get used to them – I sometimes have the feeling my hands will slip – but it’s much better now. We know this is in our own best interest, so that we can develop here as well.
Our surprise Olympic Vault champion is one of our favourite gymnasts.
Mirela Basescu for Prosport translated by Romanian Gymnastics Fans:
… I know there were many discussions around the vault medal, around the fact that I didn’t try something more difficult and I decided to go for safety after Maroney fell. Yes, I could have tried the Cheng Fei vault, I did that in the podium training, the judges saw it. I could have performed it but it would have been an unnecessary risk. I wanted to win gold …
On the worst moment from London: The fact that many people first comforted me for the fall on floor and then congratulated me for the gold medal. …
One how rich a two time Olympic champion is: Rich at heart (laughs). What I experienced, the memories, the unique feelings, those make me happy. Having the anthem played for you and taking Romania with you everywhere means more to me than any financial reward I got after each medal. …
Ana Sofia Gomez, from Guatemala … Pan American Champion 2011, Olympic gymnast reaches this level thanks to her coach Adrian Boboc …
Tommy Ramos, from the island of Puerto Rico, … did a lot during the season 2011 – 2012, achieving great results in World Cups, especially in … rings, embodies the best gymnast GIMNASIALATINA.COM 2012.
Ana Sofia Gomez (GUA) 56.32% (9.261 votes)
Yamilet Peña (DOM) 11.94% (1.963 votes)
Valeria Pereyra (ARG) 9% (1,441 votes)
Barbara Achondo (CHI) 8.62% (1,418 votes)
Alexa Moreno (MEX) 5.43% (893 votes)
Jessica Lopez (VEN) 3.61% (594 votes)
Jessica Gil (COL) 3.38% (555 votes)
Adrian Gomes (BRA) 1.94% (319 votes)