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Chat Reel: Shannon Miller
Gymnast has her sights set on Sydney
Posted: Monday May 29, 2000 04:04 PM
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Shannon Miller: "I've always tried to make the event finals in the past so I am going to continue to try to make the finals in all four events." AP |
CNNSI Host: Welcome to today's Olympic chat with gymnast Shannon Miller. Hi Shannon. Thanks for joining us.
Shannon Miller: Hi, great to be here
From Jim in Harper Woods, Mich.: What was your biggest influence, or idea that encouraged you to go back into training? I mean, with all the new rules and things like that, what turned you around to come back into the gym?
Shannon Miller: I think a lot of it was the new rules, some new challenges. I'm driven by challenge. I was interested to see what I could accomplish getting back into it at this age.
From Talia in London: What do you feel is your biggest challenge right now?
Shannon Miller: I think my biggest challenge right now is the amount of time I have to get ready before the Olympics. Things are going smoothly - each day I am getting better and better.
From Kayla in Talahassee, Fla.: Shannon, I know that this May camp was your first. How did you do in comparison with the younger gymnasts?
Shannon Miller: It was great being there at my first camp. Motivating to be there with the other gymnasts, young and old.
From Kate in Mendham, N.J.: On a scale of 1 -10, where do you think you are right now?
Shannon Miller: It's really hard to tell where I am at now. Everyday is different, but overall I'd be at a 7 or 8 and hoping to peak at the Olympic Games.
From Katie Goergens in Honolulu: Has your chronic wrist injury bothered you at all since your comeback?
Shannon Miller: I keep my wrist taped, both of them, to prevent any more injuries. I'm healthier now than I have been for most of my career.
From Katie Hague in Poole, U.K.: Which country do you see as the most threatening in terms of the team title in Sydney?
Shannon Miller: I think the powerhouses have always been, and will be this time: Russia, Romania, Ukraine and China.
From Jodi N. in Boston: Hi Shannon! What is it like to work with Bela Karolyi? What is your relationship with him like? Do you feel that the Olympic hopefuls and their coaches accepted his role as team coordinator easily, or was there some resentment at first?
Shannon Miller: It's hard to say because I wasn't even training when it was announced that Bela was the team coordinator, so I don't know what the reaction was from the other coaches. He's doing a great job and is very motivating. He knows the sport better than anyone does. So if there's anyone who can get us there it would be him.
From Patty Lebsack in Sonoma County, Calif.: How are floor and vault coming along for you? What are your future start value goals for floor and vault, for example, by the end of this summer?
Shannon Miller: Of course, my start value, the goal is a 10.0. On vault my start value will be 9.8 with a new vault. My floor will hopefully come to 10.1.
From Ana: What do you think of the chances of the US team repeating as champs?
Shannon Miller: Right now we're still forming a team, it hasn't been chosen. We'll give it a good run and I think it'll be an exciting competition.
From Kathy & Kristen in Mission Viejo, Calif.: Hey Shannon! We were curious about your thoughts to five of the Magnificent Seven members making comebacks for Sydney. Who are your picks?
Shannon Miller: I think it's wonderful. It's great that so many of the older gymnasts are trying to make this team because they're showing that age is not a limiting factor. As far as my picks, I couldn't even begin to guess. It changes every day. I know we'll have a really good, strong team.
From Jay: Hi Shannon. I was just wondering if you have stayed in touch with your six teamates from the '96 Olympics and if you are all still friends?
Shannon Miller: We're definitely still friends. We live across the country, but we still keep in touch and swap e-mail. We see each other at different events across the country.
From Kiara Graffio in Hacienda Heights, Calif.: I can't wait to hear your floor music. Your old routines were the best! I know you'll have a similar style, but can you tell us anything about your new routine? Will you use old music? I also liked your mission impossible routine a lot.
Shannon Miller: My floor routine is brand new music. It's kind of a Hungarian piece, classical - sort of what I normally have but with a faster pace. It's fun for me to do. Hopefully it'll be fun for people to watch.
From Holly: Hi Shannon! How does your husband feel about your new training schedule and hopefully you going to another Olympics?
Shannon Miller: He's excited. He's been very supportive. I don't think he knows what to expect, but he's excited because I'm excited.
From Jenny Embleton in New York: Everyone remembers your great beam routines. Are you keeping the same dismount?
Shannon Miller: I haven't decided yet. Right now I'm doing a double tuck because I get most of my difficulty from my routine.
From Ann in Mims, Fla.: Shannon, You inspire me to do my best at everything in life even though I am not a gymnast. What I would like to know is who inspires and motivates you to do your best in gymnastics and in your life?
Shannon Miller: I think there's a lot of people that inspire me in different ways. Kim Zemeskal inspired me in my comeback because she was so successful in her comeback. In my daily life, my parents and my coaches inspire me. There're the people you look at everyday and see how they do things.
From Debbie in Pembroke Pines, Fla.: Now that you are training for the Olympics, are you planning on competing in the all-around or only just one event like the beam?
Shannon Miller: No, I'm hoping to do the all-around. I've always been an all-arounder. I've always tried to make the event finals in the past so I am going to continue to try to make the finals in all four events.
From Rachel Himelstein in Baltimore: Do you like the idea of the Olympic team now only having six athletes instead of seven? And what do you think of the new age rule that a gymnast must be 16 to compete?
Shannon Miller: Well, I don't have too much of an opinion on the age rule because it never affected me. It would be more correct to go by maturity level than by age, but that's hard to judge. As far as the number of team members, you're given the rules and you just have to go by them. It was nice to have seven in 1996, but we'll be OK with six. Everyone will be on the same playing field.
From Amanda in Seminole, Fla.: What is your relationship with Peggy Liddick since she is no longer coaching you? What do you feel about her coaching the Australian team?
Shannon Miller: I think Peggy has done a tremendous job coaching the Australians. I've always been extremely happy for her. We stay in touch. It's hard not having her coach me everyday. We're still good friends. I know she's pulling for me even though it's hard with her coaching a different country.
From Daniel Lloyd in Australia: Which gymnast did you most admire when you were first learning to do gymnastics?
Shannon Miller: Actually, I never really watched gymnastics when I was little. It wasn't until the competitions that I was in internationally that I saw others to compare myself to. The girls that I watched everyday were the ones in the gym with me and Kelly Garrison and Bart Conner since they were here in Oklahoma.
From Katie: What moves are you performing on beam at the moment?
Shannon Miller: I can't give away all my secrets. I'm performing some of the same skills I did in '96 and some new moves. My routine is up to a 10.1 right now.
From Kayla in Chesapeake, Va.: What was Bela's evaluation of you at the training camp?
Shannon Miller: As far as I know I did pretty well. As always I have progress to make. I think I was right up there with the other girls. I'm looking to peak later this summer. Right now I'm on an uphill climb and getting better and better everyday.
From Olivia in Hyattsville, Md.: Have you learned any new skills since you have come back? Also, is beam still your best event?
Shannon Miller: I've learned lots of new skills. Because of the new code, so many skills get bonus points that I've never had before. Beam and bars are going pretty well and floor and vault are coming along.
CNNSI Host: From Guest: Plans to name any new moves after yourself again this year?
Shannon Miller: Um, I'm not sure yet. But none so far.
CNNSI Host: That's all the time we have for today. Thanks again for joining us Shannon. And good luck.
Shannon Miller: Thank you very much.
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