Learn

Please tell us your short-term and long-term goals in the sport.
My main goal right now is to make the 2004 Olympic Team and to win a medal in the team competition. Another personal goal of mine is to win an individual medal at the 2004 Olympics. My long-term goal would be to stay around for another 4 years and to make another Olympic Team.

What has been your most memorable moment in gymnastics?
My most memorable moment was definitely at the 2003 World Championships where I became the first ever U.S. male to win the all-around World Championship title. It was an incredible moment for me. Ever since I was a child, I dreamed of becoming a World Champion and to have that dream come true was amazing!

What are you most looking forward to in your career?
I am really looking forward to the 2004 Olympics this summer. Obviously, the Olympic year is a very important time in the sport. I am looking forward to going to Greece, competing for the U.S. and winning a team medal with my teammates.

Who is your role model and why?
Ever since I was a child my role model in gymnastics has been Vitaly Scherbo. I think of him as being the Michael Jordan of gymnastics. It has been especially great getting to know him over the years. He has been to camps and clinics where I have been training and he has been able to help me with my gymnastics. I have really enjoyed our friendship a lot.

Do you have a good luck charm and/or any superstitions?
Actually, I am not a very superstitious person, so I don’t have any particular habits or routines I follow before competition. I generally try to take a short nap, shower and listen to some music to get pumped up before events.

What is your favorite event?
My favorite event is high bar mostly because I like all of the releases. It is such a high flying event and one of my better events, so that makes it a favorite as well.

How does USA Gymnastics’ relationship with Chevron impact you, your training, coaches, etc.?
It is really helpful having USA Gymnastics and Chevron working together. Chevron helps fund a variety of different programs for USA Gymnastics which proves to be very beneficial for the athletes, coaches and team as a whole. Chevron has also sponsored individual male athletes on the team which helps us on a daily basis to provide for training and living expenses. It is very helpful to be able to focus on gymnastics and not have to worry about whether I can pay rent each month.

If you could be an Olympian in another sport, what sport would you choose and why?
Since gymnastics and diving are so similar, I often wonder what it would be like to try diving after gymnastics and see if I could make the Olympics.

• Favorite Movie: Braveheart. I like a lot of different movies, but I really love Braveheart because it is so intense.
• Favorite Food: Italian food
• Band/Type of Music: I listen to all types of music, but I usually listen to hip hop more often than other types.
• Book: The Count of Monte Cristo