It’s My Prerogative
You all were so sweet and your good thoughts must have worked, I kept my shoes on and stayed on my feet at the Cancer Society fund raiser and fashion show last week. It was such a wonderful event and they were able to raise a bunch of money (I don’t have a final tally). Then it was off to Philadelphia to tape my show on Thursday morning. We covered the Women’s European Championship Team Finals. It was a pretty good meet and Romania and Russia certainly maintained their positions as the European teams to beat. However, it?s going to be tough for anyone (barring a meltdown) to reach China and the US.
Vanessa Ferrari was still watered down but I expect she’ll be back to her usual self in a couple of months. Steliana Nistor and Ferrari remain ones to watch in the AA in China. But this was a team competition (that we covered) and most athletes did not do the All Around. However I have to mention that Tweddle (GBR) and Semenova (RUS) were breathtaking on Uneven Bars. And Chusovitina (GER) is still the vaulting queen.
I remain surprised at how many falls we continue to see. This close to the games the gymnasts are no longer gaining experience or working on new skills (at least they shouldn’t be). Routines should be set by now with everyone working on fine tuning the details and mastering consistency. But this is gymnastics and anything can happen. Of course, the routines these days are much more skill based. Which means a greater chance for error because your simply performing more, and harder, skills.
I’d love to see our Olympic Champions be the men and women that hit high difficulty routines that also contain a bit of the artistry that seems to be lacking in so many. But then again, I’m extra picky. 
Over the weekend I headed to the mountains with family and we had a wonderful relaxed weekend. We had dinner at one of Al Capone’s former homes (now a great steak and seafood restaurant) and took long walks looking for deer and enjoying the peace and quiet.
Now it’s back to reality and back to work. This week I’m going to step up workouts and stretching to prepare for some upcoming shows. Yes, I’ve actually been talked into performing again. Yikes! But I love it so I just couldn’t say no. I realize I have had my last show a couple of times but it’s a woman’s prerogative to change her mind, right? I figure I should do it while I can and make the most of it. (But I won’t be wearing a leotard.)
Oh my gosh, one of the most exciting things that happened last week was the announcement that the Mag 7, the 1996 US Women’s Gymnastics Team, will be inducted into the US Olympic Hall of Fame on June 19th!! So thank you to everyone that voted for us. We are so excited and it will be a great night!
April 21st, 2008 at 3:04 pm
It’s a no-brainer for the Mag 7 to be inducted into the hall of fame anyway! Congrats! I can’t say I’ve ever heard of a two time hall of famer so this one must be extra sweet for you! Btw if you still get a kick out of performing and it’s something you love to do, I say as long as you still have the desire to go out there and perform, you should keep going until it’s not fun anymore! Or till your body says “no more”, which ever comes first! Hell, I hope to be playing hockey well into my 60’s! lol
April 22nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
Shannon,
Congratulations to you and the rest of the Mag 7! I had no doubt that the team would be inducted into the hall of fame, but it’s nice to know it for sure.
As for you performing again, all I can say to that is THANK GOD! I had hoped you would return to doing shows because you’re a joy to watch. Also, and maybe even more importantly, it’s wonderful to see gymnasts in their 30s still performing in some capacity. It’s inspiring, particularly for those of us also in our 30s (I’m 32). So many people think the older you get, the less active you get. That just isn’t the case.