The Olympics are such an exciting time in the world of sports and athleticism. Every four years, our little ones watch this worldwide event on TV and create dreams and goals of what they want their gymnastics future to look like. Our young athletes look up to the gymnasts they see on TV and strive to become just like them! As parents, guardians, teachers, and mentors, it is our responsibility to help encourage and inform our young ones of what the road to Rio looks like and how to begin the journey. The first thing you can tell them is that the adventure begins right here at ASI Gymnastics!
The five ladies for the USA Women’s Olympic Team have been chosen!
Simone Biles
Gabby Douglas
Laurie Hernandez
Madison Kocian
Aly Raisman
These five ladies came to the trials this past weekend with the intention and hope of making it to the Olympic team! If you watched the trials, you know that this was one tough competition considering some uncharacteristic events took place, leaving everyone unsure of who was really going to make the team.
Despite what spectators believe, these ladies are human. They make mistakes, and must push through those speed bumps on their way to the Olympic dream. Gabby Douglas, the reigning All Around Champion, made a mistake on beam, a fall on her full turn that caused her to bump down to 7th place halfway through the trials. Despite the fall, Gabby is quoted to say, “Don’t give up on me yet.” The confidence she gained from her past Olympic experience will surely come back after this mistake, as she works hard in training at The Ranch leading up to Rio. Martha Karolyi is confident in her and isn’t giving up on her yet.
Simone Biles also showed us an uncharacteristic mistake, seeing as many have watched her practically flawless routines and numerous championship titles add up over time. Simone’s fall on beam on day two of the trials was a shake to her confidence, but in “Simone-style” she came back stronger than ever, proving that she was made for this team!
Although Gabby Douglas is the reigning champion, her spot wasn’t technically guaranteed based on the other competitors. Her tears of joy as she was announced a team member showed that she didn’t take for granted her past experience, and that she was willing to work just as hard and earn her spot on the team like the other girls. It is assumed that Simone and Aly had guaranteed spots, however, they waited until they heard their names to believe it, and shed tears of joy just as Gabby did.
The stadium was full of adoring gymnastics fans, and when the team was finally announced, chills filled the arena. This team is arguably one of the strongest teams USA has had going into the Olympic Games. Less than a month from now, we will get to witness history as our fiercest ladies get to show what they have in Rio.
We have a new Rio 2016 banner going up in all of the gyms and we are excited to start our journey on the way to becoming Rio Ready! It’s time to educate our athletes on what the Olympics are and how amazing and inspiring they are!
At your gym, when your student accomplishes a new skill, their coach will give them a paper to fill out what skill they learned. Afterwards, make sure to take a picture of your athlete holding this paper up in front of the Rio 2016 banner for 10% off of your ASI Store purchase and to get an entry into an awesome drawing!
Go like ASI Gymnastics on Facebook, post your picture of your athlete in front of the banner, and use the hashtags #RioReady and #ASI(Your Gym). Then, tag us @ASIGymnastics! (Example: #RioReady #ASIArlington) You will then receive an email with your promo code!
Next, you will be entered into a drawing to win 4 tickets to the Kellogg’s Tour of Champions to see your favorite Olympians!
We look forward to seeing all of your awesome pictures! #RioReady
The five men who will represent the United States this year in the Rio Olympics have been chosen!
Sam Mikulek
Jake Dalton
Alex Naddour
John Orozaco
Chris Brooks
These men had one last chance at the last night of the Olympic Trials to prove that they were Rio Ready. This was an extremely tough competition, as the spots for the team weren’t so easily guaranteed. In order to receive an automatic spot on the Olympic team, these men had to place top three on three of the six events, along with placing first or second in the all around. Mikulak was a shoe in for a spot, due to his flawless routines and amazing sticks. He had the top all around score and the second best score on the pommel horse and the parallel bars.
John Orozco struggled at these trials, due to his previous injury. He has torn his achilles twice now, but that didn’t stop him! Sam Mikulek, Jake Dalton, and John Orozco will be joining the Olympic team for the second time in their careers.
Alex Naddour and Chris Brooks were alternates for the London Olympics in 2012. This gave them the motivation they needed to work even harder for the next four years so that they could fulfill their dreams of making the Olympic team. Of the 24 routines that Naddour performed, he didn’t have a fall or major error on any of them! His confidence proves that he is a truly valuable team member these Olympic Games.
The Rio Olympics will prove a tough and all-out battle, but U.S.A. will surely be bringing their A-game with these five men. Last Olympics, the U.S. Men placed 5th place, but this year, they are sure to prove that they are coming in better and stronger. They are surely Rio Ready and will represent America proud this summer! Congrats to the five men chosen for the Men’s U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team!!
Allen’s very own ‘Shorty’ has been a happy, little energizer bunny since day one. Danielle started her ASI Allen journey eight years ago. She was first familiarized with ASI Gymnastics through Coach Ben while she worked at Kroger. Danielle and Ben first met at Allen High School. Once Coach Ben talked to Coach Danielle about the wonders of ASI Gymnastics, she decided to apply her senior year.
