We invite you to share some heart-warming (or not) stories of your experience in gymnastics. If you'd like to share a short story here, please email it to us with your name (if you don't mind it being revealed), and your relation to gymnastics (gymnast, parent, coach, etc.) and a title for your story. We appreciate your stories and hope that they will be an inspiration to others.

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We thank all those who have contributed stories.

Hi my name is samantha. i am 14 years old i am a gymnast for Harrisburg Gymnastic School in Harrisburg, Pa. i am writing this to tell ppl about my story..when i was in 3rd grade i had some knee problems. i wasn't allowed to do any sports. it was the hardest thing for me to do. i loved to watch gymnastic then my friend took me to watch her at her gymnastic class...i loved it i wanted to go and watch her everytime i could!...then my mom signed me up for it..i was allowed to do sports again...well i was in reg class at the ages 8 and 9 then i was invited to join the rec. team..i stayed in that and i hurt my knee again i had to wear this Really big knee brace and i stuck out at meets..i hated it but i knew that it didn't matter after my first meet. i got 1st on almost everything..then i did it for a couple more years, then last year came i was doin gymnastic and my knee gave out i couldn't walk i had to go to the er..i was cryin bc i thought that they were goin to say that i couldn't do sports again..well they said that i should see a speacal dr for it..(my knee) so i did..he gave me the worst news ever i had to get surgery..i did like that at all i cryied..well its been 4 months since my surgery and i'm back at gymnastics ... it shows that if i can make it tho surgery u girls can do it..

Last year in level 5, I was competing on beam. I have always been a bit scared of straddling the beam even though I have done it before. I ran into my split leap and went really hard to just get it over with. I landed on my right foot, and as I did my ankle rolled and slid off the side of the beam while my other leg finished the leap and came as it would to finish the leap. I straddled the beam and a lot of people in the gym were watching as a I fell because I usually do really well on beam. I jumped off the beam and back on. As I was climbing up my coach asked if I was okay. She didn't think I would get up on the beam again that fast, otherwise she wouldn't have asked. I felt it appropriate to answer her so I stood up on the beam getting ready for the pivot turn and I said "I'm fine, yeah." She started laughing and the judge gave me a funny look. I wasn't that embarrassed but I was upset because it hurt.

Hi!  I'm Alicia and I'm 14.  I started gymnastics in 5th grade.  I will be in 9th this year.  This September will be my 4th year.  Before 5th grade, I had no gymnastics training at all.  I am now a level 6, working on some level 7 skills.  I do gymnastics through my school.  Most people my age are level 8 or 9.  When people online ask me what level I am and I tell them 6 they are like, are you like 7 years old?  I don't pay attention to that tho.  I have accomplished so much in my 4 years!  Most people that have only been in it for 4 years are a level 4 or 5, not working on level 7!  I have dedicated a lot of time to gymnastics!  I have worked so hard to correct my skills, and fix my form!  That took some time!  I had the worst form you could possibly imagine!  But, this last season, I competed level 4 for all but 3 meets.  I competed 5 those 3.  I won first all around at every one of the level 4 meets except for one, and I got second at that one.  I won first on vault at EVERY competition this year (level 4 and level 5), including state.  I got 6th all around at state as a level 5.  I just want to encourage all of you older gymnasts out there that if you practice and dedicate time and put your heart into it, you can be an awesome gymnast!  I know I probably wont go to the Olympics, but that doesn't bother me!  I love what I'm doing and doing what I love!  Good luck to everyone! 

I am 14 (almost 15) last year in Feb.  I went to the doctor because my foot was always hurting.  It started with round-off back tucks for dismounts on beam. I was kind of scared because I did them when I was maybe 10 or 11, and I sometimes would miss my foot.  I wouldn't get hurt though.  It was just really scary. So last year I did them very slowly and it hurt my foot.  So I went to the doctor and he told me that I had nerve damage to the bottom of my foot.  My foot never got better, so I quit.  He had started putting these things in my shoes and now my foot is sort of better.  It sometimes still hurts when I do my series on beam. (backhandspring step-out, backhandspring double-down)  Anyway, I had quit and I went into high school thinking that I would find something better to do than gymnastics.  But the truth is the ISN'T anything better than gymnastics.  But i hadn't figured this out yet.  Well then I went to my friend's state meet.  I decided gymnastics is for me and I'm back.  I will compete level 8 next season, and I've found out that gymnasts have very strong ankles, because mine lost a lot of strength for that year that I quit.  This October will be my 9th year of being involved in gymnastics ( I coached while I was out of the sport, and i still do once a week now)  My story shows you that once gymnastics gets in your blood, it stuck there.       Tweety (that's my nickname at the gym, most people don't know my real name) 

Ok here's my story.
I started gymnastics when i was about 4 or 5 years old at Gym-Kids.  I was getting pretty good -- i could do backhandsprings and almost standing back tucks. Well once when i was 7 we were doing punch fronts on a mini tramp that had nothing covering the springs. I ran up to the mini tramp and when i jumped on it, my foot went through the springs! it freaked me out and after that i was scared and wouldn't do it anymore.  My dad took me out becuz i was too afraid and he knew that i wouldn't want to try new things after that incident.  So then when i was 11 i really wanted to go back into it cuz i really missed it. I did at my high school thru a recreational summer program. There i got my round off backhandspring back and finally moved back to gym-kids. I made the pre-team when i was 12 and then level 5 when i was 13. I competed level 5 when i was 14 which is pretty "old" compared to  most other gymnasts. I made it to state and moved up to level 6 which i competed when i was 15.  I moved up to level 7 after that season.  During that summer before i was supposed to compete, i fractured my elbow and couldnt do anything except turns and leaps on beam.  I got really behind everyone else and no one really paid any attention to me cuz i couldn't do anything.  I ended up quitting gymnastics before school started. it was the hardest decision of my life and for a while i totally regretted it.  That was a year and a half ago, and i can still tumble like i used to on the tumble trak which i am happy about.  My high school doesn't have a gymnastics team but if it did, i think i still would do it. I still love gymnastics and i always will.  **You can take the gymnast out of gymnastics, but you can never take the gymnastics out of the gymnast**

I went to Bozhi's Gymnest and I remember when I was trying to learn the level 5 beam mount it took me forever to learn it My coach Hrbrinia was going crazy it was so funny now that I looked back on it I miss you guys sooo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I started gymnastics when I was three and always wanted to go to the Olympics. At level 7, 2 years ago, I started to get injured A LOT! First, I had a weak ankle. About 6 months later I broke my wrist. I had a good day that day too because I was throwing handspring handspring connected on the beam. About 6 months after that, my back started hurting so I finish the season, and stayed out for 8 weeks. I had worst season of my life that year too. Now it's about 3 months later, and my back starts bugging me even worse, so bad that I'm crying just because I did a walkover on the beam. I found out I have a stress fracture in my back and can't compete the whole season. I mean I haven't competed one competition yet and I'm going to be out for about another month now. The worst part was that I had the best practice of my life the day we found out about it. I did so good on bars which is my worst event. I was throwing wolf hop side aerial on beam. And had a great tumbling day. Everyday I think about quitting, but then again its my life, but also I don’t want to be in a position that I'll never walk again. I always keep that special goal in my mind though. I'm going to the Olympics, I'm going to the Olympics. If it takes another sport to get me there then oh well.

Hello, I'm a level 6 gymnast. I started gymnastics last year when I was 15 years old. I really love the sport and its my dream to be a competitive gymnast. My first year was a real mess. I had four serious injuries, and things never seemed to go well. Whenever I got a new skill I injured myself in practice, and so I grew scared of doing it again. I always kept telling myself to keep going, even if things went awfully bad. This year I finally made it to the competitive team of my gym, and last September I went to my first International meet competing at level 5. Now I'm beginning level 6, and I'm sure that hard work and perseverance really pay off. 
Ana, C.R

I started gymnastics when I was about 5. I was good and I liked the sport, but since I was little I didn't really understand that you had to be committed. So after a while I quit. I kept quitting and going back for a while and finally at 14, I am definitely staying in gymnastics. I am now training level 6 and really regret quitting. I always thought that if I quit, when I went back I would still be the same as before I found out that is definitely not true. Whenever I stopped going to gym when I went back I had to spend more than half the time conditioning to build up my strength again. I just went back to gym last year, I competed level 5. This spring and fall now I am going to compete level 6 hopefully
next season. I know that a lot of people start gymnastics cuz they want to get to the Olympics, and don't get me wrong that's really great, but I don't think that's wut gymnastics is about. I like going to gym and feeling strong and healthy. I think gymnastics teaches you many things including discipline. I do better in school because I know how to listen and apply myself even though gymnastics takes up most of my time. I know that a lot of people think that when you are 14 only in level 5 training 6 you aren't going to get anywhere, but I don't believe that. I may not get to the Olympics or maybe I will (I'm not counting that out yet :). But I'm doing something I love and I think that's all that counts. Go Broadway! We rock!!!!    Aymara :) 

Ever since I can remember I have wanted to go to the 2008 Olympics. I would tell people I was going and they would say where do you do gym and I would answer I don't but I will soon. Then for my 10th b-day I finally started gymnastics 3 years later I am a level six I know I probably won't make it to the Olympics but at least I can say I'm in gymnastics now.
Alina

Never Give Up
I started gymnastics at the age of 6. I loved every minute of it and I practiced at home all the time. From the second I walked into that gym I wanted to go the the Olympics for the USA.  I ate slept and breathed gymnastics.  When I was 10 years old I fell an broke my left foot when I was doing a floor combo and didn't know it at the time.  I kept practicing and on a front tuck I landed wrong and couldn't walk.  At the hospital they told me I had broke 4 bones in my left foot.  8 weeks later I got my cast off and after a few months of therapy I wanted to start again but my parents said NO!  so I spent more time on ballet but my love was still in gymnastics.  I knew this was true after watching the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.  I always still practiced cartwheels and roundoffs in the yard but I couldn't do a lot of my old skills.  I kept bugging my parents to let me return and this year they finally did.  Now I am 14 and in a class level 1 with 8 and 9 year olds.  The other day we started front tucks and I was really scared because this was the move that I had gotten hurt on 4 years ago.  Finally I had to try it  my coach spotted me and I did it alright then I tried one by myself and hit that.  I may never make it to the Olympics, but I am doing something I love and that's what counts.  No matter what anyone says,  if you believe it you can do it.  NEVER GIVE UP ON YOUR DREAMS.
LOL : )  Maureen

Words of Wisdom
I'm 15 years old.  Typically most 15 year old gymnasts are at least a level 8.  I on the other hand am a level 5, however I have level 6 and 7 skills. It is extremely disheartening at times to know that there are girls that are 10 who are practically elite. Despite this, I have learned to accept my abilities. Nothing can change when I started gymnastics, so I just have to deal with it. I am now going back to gymnastics (I took off for a year) and I hopefully will be a level 7 by June of 2003.  :)  I urge all older gymnasts at lower skill levels, and anyone else, for that matter, not be self-conscious, but rather to work hard to obtain greatness in anything you love. Good luck everyone!
Julia Bailey

Broken Leg
Last December I broke my leg on bars doing a baby giant I thought it was the end I spent 4 months in a cast wit a tib/fib spiral break. It was terrible. When I finally was better I didn't want to go back to gymnastics becuz I though I would be below all my friend cuz I was out of gymnastics for a year. I was afraid that my coach would push me do we better then i could be. Well, I went back and I am having a great time my coach is not pressuring me at all and I am back in inter club. D

Don't Think You're Better
Hi! I am Hayli, and I am 11 years old in level 8. I just wanted to tell you a little story. Last year I was in level 7, and my series was backwalkover-backhandspring. And every day we would have 5 minutes to do 5 series stuck. Well, I was always done first so I got all the little extra attention. So one day a girl on my team got finished before me, so I decided that the next day I would be the first again. So the next day the girl (Danielle), we were neck to neck I had one more and so did she. So I get chalk and get up there she was up already, and I could tell she was about to go. So I got up there, and with out even thinking.....I just went! Well, it just so happens that when I went to do my back handspring. My foot slipped and then my hand then my foot again, and I .... broke my toe! So I just want to let you know that don't compete against your team, your friends, your best friends, only compete against people you have to. And it just so happens that now I am back in Gymnastics smarter and better than ever, and me and Danielle have become BEST friends!    

A Traveling Gymnast
Hi. My name is Sarah and I'm 13 years old and this is my story! I started gymnastics at age 3 at a gymboree kind of place! Then one day I told my mom that this sport was to hard for me and I wanted to quit! So I did! Then when I was 5 we moved to Singapore a little island in south Asia. When we got there I told my mom I wanted to start gymnastics again so she let me! When I was 5, I was doin round off backhand-spring layouts on floor and backhandspring on beam! Because in Singapore they didn't care about your form but only your skills! Then when I was almost 9 we moved to Hawaii! When we found a gym there I had to start gymnastics from level 4 again because my form was awful!!! and I mean terrible!! Then in Hawaii I made it up to level 7! Then we had to move again to Florida!!! Where I found the most talented gymnasts in the world and I knew I wanted to be like them! so I joined there team Starlight Gymnastics! Where they turned my talent into grace! Then I broke my finger! and if it weren't for the coaches and gymnasts at starlight then I never think I would of made it through that tragedy! I am now a level 9 and in 8th grade! Before you throw your sport and friends into the trash for something else think about it cause you may just be the next Shannon Miller!!!!!!           *always*          Sarah

Was I Going to Make It?
Hi, my name is Kayla and I am a 12 year old Level 7 at Five Star Gymnastics. I first started Gymnastics when I was 3 years old at Fit Stop Gymnastics in Erlanger. My parents didn't know that Gymnastics was going to be my life at that time. As I got a little older, I needed something a little more harder. So, my parents had found out about a great Gymnastics called Five Star Gymnastics. I was a Pre Team was I was about 7 years old. About a Year later, then moved my up to Level 5! I was about 8 years old and a Level 5. Well, I am one of those people who will try anything! So, I had all my skills, and they wanted me to start training for Level 6-7. I was only 8 years old and I really thought that was a lot of pressure. SO, later that Summer I quit. I knew it was the wrong choice, but I went ahead and did it. For about 3 years I did nothing. I was out of shape, but could still do Tumbling. Well, I decided I wanted to get involved in something. My choice was to try Gymnastics. I missed all my friends, the Gym, and most of all Competing. So when I was about 11 almost 12, I went back to Five Star. I still had all my Skills on Bars, Beam, Floor, and Vault! I was soo happy!  So, they decided to place me in Level 6 again. I kept saying "No, No" Level 5. But they knew that after I started training, I would be wanting to compete Level 6-7. Well, that's what happened. About 2 wks into Training, I decided to do Level 6. They thought that if I competed one Level 6 meet in October, I would for sure be ready for Level 7. So, right now I am training Level 7, but still have to do one Level 6 Meet, and I know I will Score Out, because I have almost a Back Tuck on beam, and that is like a Level 8 skill! That's my Gymnastics Life!! I wish all you Gymnasts out there Good Luck, and stay in it, its the best thing to do! Because if I wouldn't have quit, my coaches say I could be a 12 year old Level 9! Cool, huh? Well, Good Luck girls!
Love,  Kayla (Gymnast)   *~Gymnastics Is Life~*

Never Give Up ... Never
Hi my name is Ashley.  I am a 9 years old and a level 4 at a very good gym.  Last December, while practicing round off back handsprings on the tumble trak I broke my forearm.  Both bones snapped.  After some quick first aid at the gym, I went to the hospital.  My Doctor was wonderful and had lots of experience with this type of injury.  He had been the team Dr. for a MAJOR University Gymnastics team. He cautioned me about the dangers of competition and asked if I had any questions, I asked if I could still do one handed cartwheels.  Anyway, the next day I was in the gym.  I began working on conditioning as soon as the holidays were over (my lower body has never been in better shape).  All of my team mates were encouraged by my return, they did not feel like I would return. I had been working out with the level 5 team before the broken arm but the time off cost me some skills.! When tryouts came, I was not quite ready to climb ropes, do vaults or anything else that required arm strength, but I tried (The coaches and my parents made sure I didn't do anything I was not supposed to do), but I made it.  I am so glad, but if I hadn't made it, I would not have quit.  It is just not in me to quit.  I Love gymnastics and the friends that I have made.  And my coaches, they are the best.  They may not be names you have heard of (yet), but you will. The encouragement they have given me during my recovery was great.
If I could say anything to encourage anyone else it would be: Never give up on your dreams or goals.  Life is one big character building experience and you are the builder. Create a masterpiece and the whole world will see it. Hopefully, you will see mine in 2012.  Ashley

My Hard Times in Gymnastics 
Hi. My name is Rachel and I am 15 years old. When I was three, I started to do gymnastics and I loved it! by the time I was 7, I was competing in level 5! When I was 8, I was at level 6! That year I had to move to Huntsville, Alabama and find a new gym! I took a year off from gymnastics after the move and didn't think I would lose my abilities. As I started training at Rocket City, I fell back from level 6 to pre-team! It was hard to believe how much slower I was progressing now and I was getting frustrated with myself! At times, I would be afraid to do things that I used to think were easy like back walkovers on the beam and front handsprings on vault! and I came to only really enjoy the floor. then when I was twelve, I had to move again to Birmingham, Alabama! It was soooo hard to move again from a gym that I had come to love and enjoy more than ever! But as I started searching for gyms in my new home I just couldn't find one that I liked! Because I only really wanted to do the floor, I started a cheernastics class. There I learned to do backtucks on floor, which at my old gyms I had never learned to do. I had the highest tuck in the whole gym and people wondered if I had done them before, but I hadn't. A lady came to the gym and was looking for girls who wanted to cheer in a new all-star cheerleading program called ACE. She watched me tumble for a week and then asked me if I wanted to try out! I did and I made it! It was kinda new for me but it was sooooo much fun! The only thing that held me back was that I had to tumble on a cheer floor! I was sooo used to tumbling with springs helping me that I thought I wouldn't be able to do it! With someone standing there, I was fine but as soon as they moved away I freaked out and would cry! The next year I tried out again and I made it! I found a coach that would help me get over my fear so I could be an even better tumbl! er! Jason worked with me and understood what I was feeling and was patient with me! after a while I regained my confidence and started to work layouts! They were alot of fun, considering I had been doing tucks for about 2 years, which get boring after awhile! I had a few bad crashes with some injuries from bailing in the middle of layouts! but I always got back up and tried again! sometimes I work fulls with spot now but I don't have time to really get good practice in! I'm on the school squad as well and It is a lil different than all-stars! My coach told me that I had to tumble on a basketball court and I freaked out again! I just cant make my body tumble on hard floor! in gymnastics I had always been told not to tumble with out a mat or someone being there! so I guess that just got stuck in my head! I would throw a tuck with spot but once they moved away, even the smallest step i wouldn't go!! I don't know how to be confident with myself any more! And the more times i think about m! e being so stupid and not doing a simple tuck the more i get frustrated and mad at myself!! i love to tumble more than ever and i wouldn't give it up for the world! it makes me happy and i feel good when I'm tumbling ( when I'm on spring floor! LOL )  I think starting gymnastics is one of the best choices i have ever made in my life! and I don't regret anything! gymnastics teaches you so much in daily life, more than I would have ever thought! I learned to be patient and honest with myself and others! even though I think I'm still learning how to trust myself as well as others i think that gymnastics is a great way to let people of any age learn more about themselves! I love learning and trying new and harder tricks and I hope to keep tumbling through out my life!!  -- Rachel

From Rachel
I have always luved many sportz and gymnastics was my favorite. When I was 5, I could do round off flipflop tuck. My mom was scared 4 me so she made me quit. Ever since I begged her 2 let me start again. So now I'm 12 and she finally let me again. I'm only a level 3 at a world famous gymnastics school and I 4got how 2 do all those skills. So never give ^ and keep tryin 4 ur dreams!

Taylor's Tumble
Once we had this little girl named Taylor on our team I was a level 6, and she was a level 4. She was so nervous on the bars that she let go of it and flipped off onto her neck we thought she would cry but she got up and started laughing the judges cracked up. ( Even though she got a 4.45)  - Marisa*

My Routine is your Routine
This happened at the Level 5 sectionals just this past weekend. I don't mean to brag but I am one of the best gymnasts on the Level 5 team at Fairland. Everybody says my routines are perfect. I had just finished my routine on beam and I got an 8.975. I was so happy. My friend Carly was about to compete. She said to me, "Can I have your routine?" I said as a joke "My routine is your routine." When she finished, she got an 8.9!  What a coincidence!  We had almost the same score. Our next event was floor. Floor is my best event! Carly competed before me she got a 9.0 on floor. I knew I could get a 9.0. I've had before. Also my friend Lea got a 9.0. They both said to me "my routine is your routine" as a joke. I got a 9.1! Our next event was Vault, we didn't say that to each other because we were in different groups though. Our Vault scores were completely different. I got an 8.85, Carly got an 8.2. Finally, it was Bars, another of my best events. I didn't say the phrase to Carly, I said to my another of my best friend, Maureen.  She got a 9.0 and I got a 9.05! Before all this happened, at our home meet, on Vault both me and Maureen got a 8.9. And on beam both me and Maureen got an 8.6! Weird isn't it?
Scarlett, MD

From Lauren
I think its great that some people are posting their stories! I just have to say never give up! Once you quite gym, you realize that you never should have quit, its a horrible feeling. Ever since I was a little girl, I've dreamed of being the best! I wanted to go to the Olympics! So when I was in senior kindergarten I started gym. Rapidly, I became very good and was flying through the levels.
I was at level 4 in grade 3 and on the spur of the moment I quit. Now in grade 7, I regret quitting more than ever; I've started back up again, but I'm not like I used to be. Of course I still love gym, always will, but I hope some day, I will be as good as I used to! Peace and good luck to y'all and never quit on your dreams!  Lauren

From Jenny
Well, when I was in 3rd grade, I went to gymnastics. I started in 1st level then skipped 2nd and went to 3rd. I was doin really good and when I was goin into 4th grade I was gonna go to level 4. My friend was into ballet, and she wanted me to do ballet with her. So I did, except, I was only allowed to do one sport. I quit gymnastics. I was so wrong! I could have been on Team now that I'm in 7th grade. I decided to go back into gymnastics.
I am now in level four and doin great. When I was little my dream was to be in the Olympics when I was 18 yrs old. I still have hope, but I'm 12 right now. I just wanna tell everyone out there, even if your not in gymnastics, to stay with what you have and not think that if you quit and then go back, things aren't gonna be the same, you won't have the same skills you used to. Never forget about your dreams even if they might be a little different. Keep hope and do your best. If you don't win first place or even if you don't place, always believe in yourself!!! Never quit, especially for someone else!
Jenny bbye..tttyl....xoxox...lyl...luv yaz...cya...mhwaz....peace!!!

From Chantal
Last year in 2001 of December,  I was doing round off back handsprings. When I went into the back hand spring I broke my arm very bad. I broke my radius bone in half and bent my other fore arm bone. The doctor said I might have to get steel rods but I didn't. I wanted to go back to gymnastics right after I got my cast off the reason was because I have a dream to go to the Olympics and represent my country. The doctor said not until a year so a year has pasted and I'm back at gymnastics. I'm doing well and hope to change my gymnastic gyms and go to a more advanced place so I could actually try out for the Olympics, and hopefully make it. What made me get through having a broken arm, and then going to physical therapy was my friends and parents telling me I was good and that I could do it and maybe even go to the Olympics and I believe I could go. So always believe in your self. I did. 
Love, Chantal prosnick

From Amanda
I started gymnastics when I was in first grade. What made me do gymnastics was my friend Mimi. I remember her always leaving early from school to go to gymnastics so I realized how much cool stuff she can do and soon I was part of a competitive team. The worst part in my gymnastics life was when I would always bailing on my round-off back-handsprings. Of course now I do much harder skills but back then I was just terrified of round-off back-handsprings. Either I was twisting out of them or I was just landing on my back. My coaches would always very mad with me because they knew I could do it but I didn't. It was until one day I said to myself that If I want to compete I'm going to have to star doing my round-off back-handsprings. Then POW!!! I got it and everything was fine I was happy that that part of my gymnastics life was over. 
I remember the funniest time in gymnastics was when my coach spit her rips on me!!! She was showing us some moves on bars and when she got off she had two big rips on her hand. She decided to bite them off and spit them on her hands. By her second one she missed and spit it right on my leo!!!! To  top it all off, the rips were bloody!! From that day on I was a little more careful with my coach when she was on the bars.                  From Amanda

Beth's Story
I used to be a level 8 gymnast, but one fall changed everything.
I was at gymnastics one day and I had done a simple front layout off the beam.  My foot slipped just as I was jumping off the beam and I landed short... I hurt my leg real bad.  The only thoughts that went through my mind were that I would never be able to do gymnastics again.  After spending months in physical therapy hoping for a miracle, but my knee would not heal.  I will never be able to do gymnastics again. 
Remember never to take your ability for granted ... you never know when you can loose it all.

Mareea's Story
When I was born, my mum had just quit gymnastics (she had me quite young) and she said that i would not be like her and that i would go to the Olympics. By age 4 I could do a standing back tuck. By age 7, I was stronger than most of my teammates and it showed in my gymnastics. I did 30 hours a week and my mum made me practice at home. She was strict and unforgiving but I loved it! One day, she told me that we were moving back to Romania. I was devastated. She was a young single mother with 2 daughters in gymnastics. When we arrived in Romania, I said to my mother: I will not represent this country: ever! I still trained 30 hours a week at a local club and did all I could to get to Deva, but never quite made it. I became anorexic and obsessed on being fit. I would wake up at all hours of the night just to do sit ups and V-ups. Everything went by and finally, I got caught! We moved to the States with my step-dad and everything seemed to be fine. But my mother wanted me to make it to the Olympics and that was it. I went to school only when it didn't bother my training. I even failed 8th grade cuz of that! We moved around, trying to find a gym we could afford. We went bankrupt. Twice. I have 3 sisters. All in gymnastics. Our parents divorced and now my mother is in Romania, my sister Alexandra is in Russia with our grand mother and my 2 sisters and I stayed with our dad, and now we go to a no-name gym, in the middle of nowhere! But I love it, more than EVER cuz for the first time, I am not doing gymnastics just to be an Olympian or to "make the team". I am doing gymnastics for ME and that's all that counts! Maybe one day I'll make the team, maybe one day I'll succeed. And then I'll be really proud cuz I'll know that I made it! Do you wanna know what the point of my little story is? Just do gymnastics for YOU. Not for anyone else, not for the scholarships and please, not for the Olympian name! If you really want it don't give up but be ready to go through stuff that'll make you wanna crawl under a carpet and die. But don't ever regret doing gymnastics. I did, I now regret doing gymnastics for all the wrong things. I have injuries that'll nag me for the rest of my life cuz they were left untreated for months at a time. Good luck!!
And remember that gymnastics is the greatest sport in the world if you do it for the right reasons! Peace peeps! Tumble forever!! Mareea Karavaeva

Courageous Rip
A senior level 8 gymnast on my YMCA gymnastics team had made it to state. During her bar routine, her hands started to rip. But not like most gymnasts, not just  a little spot of the hand or callas, the skin on her whole palm had pealed off. As she dismounted the bar, she kept her hands in fists, so the excess skin wouldn't go all over. When she saluted, stepped off the mat & opened her hands she found them full of torn skin. Her coach also had to pick excess skin of the bars. With this in mind, the gymnast placed exceptionally well in the bar event.
Leslie Downing - Pennsylvania

The Biggest Ovation
Between sessions at a recent meet, a local girl was permitted to perform her Special Olympic floor routine in an effort to raise funds for her travel expenses to compete. As the group of Level 6 girls gathered around the floor, I wondered how this group of youngsters would receive such a performance. Sometimes it seems that kids are deeply immersed in their own worlds -- particularly just before a competition.
As the young lady courageously struggled through her routine, the gymnasts watched intently. She finished her routine and struck her pose. The gymnasts (and the crowd) let out a tremendous roar lasting what seemed like a couple of minutes. The Special Olympian held her pose, basking in a glorious moment. More than a few winked back the tears, and goose bumps took a while to fade. In life and in gymnastics, there are many beautiful moments. I was impressed that the gymnasts showed that they recognized one of them. I guess these kids are learning more than gymnastics in that gym.
S. Wayne, Parent

Never Quit 
When I was In Germany I did gymnastics and piano.  I was in 3rd Grade.  I liked them both.  I quit gymnastics because I used to be sore on weekends.  But ever since then I wanted to do again and my parents said I can start again and I am.  Now I am in the 7th Grade and I think I can still go to the Olympics in 2008 or 2012 and be a part of the U.S. Team.  When I was in Germany, I finished the beginners level.  When I start again I will be on level 1. (But some gyms start you out on level 1 and not on beginners level).  So I hope you will never quit gymnastics because I think you will be making a big mistake! 
T. Mellish, Gymnast