Relive 1996 Olympic Glory
The "Magnificent Seven" captured a the hearts of the nation during the 1996 Olympics. However, one of the members of the team, Dominique Moceanu (third from right) says there was a dark side to the team's success.
John Gaps III, AP
Moceanu, now 27, says that dietary restrictions on her while growing up led to numerous injuries due to the "dark side of the elite gymnastics scene," where young girls are put under intense pressure to perform.
Jerry T. Lai, Getty Images
Moceanu competed in Atlanta at the age of 14, and she now realizes that her upbringing led to injuries and pressure not normally put on a girl that age.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
While Moceanu hopes there is change within the sport, she isn't optimistic there will be with the current leadership at the national training center.
Jerry T. Lai, Getty Images
Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps, and Kerri Strug were inducted to the U.S. Olympic Hall of Fame.
Jerry Lai, Getty Images
Phelps, left, Borden, center, and Moceanu were part of the first U.S. women's gymnastics team to capture the gold medal, and one that made the girls American heroes.
Alexander Zemlianichenko, AP
The most memorable moment of their performance was Strug's effort, as she was able to come through injury to help the team capture gold.
Doug Pensinger, Getty Images
Strug injured her ankle on her first attempt on the vault, and had to attempt the maneuver again by landing on one leg.
John Gaps III, AP
Strug managed to land and despite not even being able to walk, secured the gold medal for the United States with the one-legged landing.
Amy Sancetta, AP
Moceanu, who was considered a medal threat coming into the 1996 Olympics, suffered a stress fracture that made it difficult for her to compete.
Eric Fefferberg, AFP / Getty Images
Just as with the aforementioned novel and many topics on Real Sports, this discussion will not focus on the lighter side of gymnastics in the Olympics.
Instead, Moceanu will allege that there are many concerns facing young gymnasts in their world of competitive sport
Moceanu, who said there is a "dark side of the elite gymnastics scene," described diet restrictions she said she had to follow as a young gymnast and physical stresses that led to leg, wrist and shoulder injuries. She said one way to change the sport's culture would be to remove Martha Karolyi, the women's national team coordinator, and Bela Karolyi, who operates the national training center, from their roles.Despite the Zoolanderian way in which these particular allegations sound, they are pretty serious. Moceanu and Sey are essentially stating that the organization structure inherent with the USA gymnastics teams encourages poor psychological and physical development within these young women.
"People are hoping that there'll be change," Moceanu said. " ... If it was up to the athletes, it would have happened a long time ago."
It should come as no shock that there is an immense amount of pressure put on these young women. This is an athletic event that is set on a worldwide stage, occurs only every four years and slammed inside a vacuum of intensity.
But all of that, and even the patriotic mantra of "Win at all Costs!" doesn't excuse physically and psychologically scarring generation after generation of young women.
It should be noted that Moceanu had a messy divorce with the Olympic team and that Sey, with her novel, has obviously burned some bridges.
However, if their allegations are true, it seems pretty imperative that someone objectively weigh the cost that achieving success is having on these womens' psyches.
US Womens Gymnastics
TO GO WITH Oly-2008-gymnastics-USA-Johnson,FEATURE by Jim Slater(FILES) This file photo taken on September 9, 2007 shows Shawn Johnson of the US competing on the floor during the women's apparatus final on the floor of the 40th World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Stuttgart, southern Germany. Reigning world all-around gymnastics champion Shawn Johnson, a tiny 16-year-old bundle of high-bouncing energy, will lead a world champion US squad seeking gold at the Beijing Olympics. AFP PHOTO / FILES / LLUIS GENE (Photo credit should read LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
Olympian Mary Lou Retton, right, hugs Samantha Peszek as Retton's daughter McKennea Kelley, second from left, hugs Alicia Sacramone after the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008 in New Waverly, Texas. Sacramone and Peszek were both selected for the Olympic team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
The 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics team is introduce after the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008 in New Waverly, Texas. The team is from right, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, Bridget Sloan and alternates Jana Bieger, Ivana Hong and Corrie Lothrop. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
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Gymnasts Alicia Sacramone, left, and Samantha Peszek laugh after the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008 in New Waverly, Texas. Both were selected for the Olympic team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
Members of the 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic Gymnastics team, from left to right, Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone, Samantha Peszek, Shawn Johnson and Bridget Sloan sit on a balance beam after the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
The 2008 U.S. Women's Olympic gymnastics team, from left to right, Chellsie Memmel, Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone, Samantha Peszek, Shawn Johnson and Bridget Sloan pose after the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
Gymnast Samantha Peszek performs on the balance beam during the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. Peszek was selected for the Olympic team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
Gymnast Jana Bieger steps outside the lines as she competes in the floor exercise during the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008 in New Waverly, Texas. Bieger was named an alternate to the Olympic team. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team member Nastia Liukin competes on the uneven bars during the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008, in New Waverly, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
Gymnast Jana Bieger, left, is hugged by her mother and coach Andrea Bieger, right, after finishing her floor exercise during the final day of competition at the USA Gymnastics Olympic selection camp Saturday, July 19, 2008 in New Waverly, Texas. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
AP
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
7-23-2008 @ 7:54PM
Jan said...
One of the gymnasts from my high school spoke about these pressures and the requirement to not gain weight. Of course it is still happening at the Olympic level.
Reply
7-23-2008 @ 7:58PM
sjfunwin said...
She's right. There are too many broken legs in this sport. We don't like racehorses to break their legs. Why young women?
sjfunwin
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 12:43AM
George B Vieto said...
Memo to all young ladies who want to be gymnasts. If you can't stand your coach leave him or her and pursue another sport. There have been books written by former atheles about the dark side of sports. Jim Bouton "Ball Four" and Peter Gant "North Dallas Forty" Every sport has its dark side and the American media just doesn't like American gymnasts.
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 2:29AM
Al said...
The only surprising thing about this story is that ANYONE is surprised!! Geeze, Hasn't anyone been paying attention?? They start with these kids out of the womb and run them into the ground. The only thing that can stop coaches from killing these girls is a responsible, loving parent, who would rather have a happy healthy "alive," child than a champion at any costs!! Healthy NOT Wealthy, folks!!
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 2:35AM
Beth said...
There need to be more athletes that come forward and scream loudly about what goes on behind closed doors!! This is the only way a stop will be put to this abuse. Too many parents look the other way in exchange for the fleeting fame and glory.
Reply
7-24-2008 @ 6:53PM
bulldozer said...
Remember, the Karolys (I never did like or trust Martha) are from a former soviet block, eastern european country...all the coaches/handlers/etc were hard on ALL the athletes of ALL sports! It was cultural! What about the generations of eastern block women who were forced to take steroids, with drs having no idea what the long term results would be! Some of them are MEN now! These 2 little girls are just whiny little rich brats who grew up having it too good & have no idea how bad they COULD have had it.
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