Dominique Moceanu

As the daughter of two former Romanian gymnasts, it was almost inevitable that Dominique Moceanu would follow in her parents' well balanced footsteps. At the young age of 3 and a half, Dominique began taking gymnastics classes in Highland Park, IL. While Dominique's athletic interests appeared to most as only a childhood hobby, gymnastics rapidly developed into her ultimate passion and, unbeknownst to the world, an Olympic Champion was in the making. By age 10, Dominique's inherited talent and evident ability were obvious. She dreamed of one day competing at the elite level, joining the ranks of Nadia Comaneci, Betty Okino, and Mary Lou Retton. Dominique solidified her committment to success in 1991 when she began training with world-renowned coach Bela Karolyi. With Bela's instruction, visions of becoming a champion manifested into reality. Dominique was well on her way to securing her place in gymnastics history. Only 7 months after joining Karolyi's gym, Dominique became the youngest member to qualify for the U.S. Jr. National Team. At the 1992 Jr. National Championships, she won a silver medal in the balance beam competition and placed fifth in the all-around. That same year, as the youngest gymnast to ever compete at the Pan America Games in Sao Paulo, Brazil, she captured five gold medals, including the all-around competition, floor exercise, uneven bars, and vault. Although the 1993 Junior National Championships did not result quite as successfully as 1992, Dominique considers her seventh place all-around finish to be one of her greatest competitions as a learning experience. Karolyi's philosophy, "you can always do better," inspired an even greater dedication in Dominique's training regimen and resulted in her triumphant all-around title and gold medal in the floor exercise and vault at the 1994 Jr. Nationals. 1995 proved to be a stellar year for Dominique. After winning a gold medal in the uneven bars at the Reese's International Gymnastics Cup, she placed first in vault at the American Classic. Advancing to the senior division, Dominique continued her winning streak at the Visa Challenge by capturing her first all-around title against an international field, winning a gold medal in the floor exercise as well as the team gold. At the 1995 U.S. Nationals (Sr. Division) in New Orleans, Dominique, in her first major national meet, become the youngest gymnast in U.S. history to capture the all-around title. Shortly after, Dominique won a gold medal in the all-around competition at the World Team Trials. Two months later, she won a silver medal on the balance beam at the 1995 World Championships in Sabae, Japan, placing fifth overall, the best finish for an American. Leading up to the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Dominique unfortunately experienced a painful stress fracture in her tibia, resulting in disappointing U.S. Nationals and World Championship finishes. Furthermore, her injury had a considerable impact on her Olympic performance, preempting her chances for an individual gold medal. Although Dominique's Olympic performance did not result in an individual medal, it did earn the team gold medal. Subsequently, the 1996 Gymnastics team, becoming the first American Women's Gymnastics Team to win the Olympic team gold medal, was dubbed the "Magnificent 7." Following the 1996 Olympics, Karolyi retired, and Dominique began training under Luminita Miscenco, a former gymnast at the famous school in Deva, Romania. Doubt arose about Dominique's ability to rebound from the disappointment of not winning an individual medal in Atlanta. However, most did not credit that she was only 14 at the 1996 Olympics, and that her Olympic experience came relatively early in her career. Moceanu credits Miscenco for putting her back on track and for helping her adjust to her new frame after she grew seven inches in height and gained 18 pounds in 1997. As Dominique continued to develop physically and mentally under the guidance of Miscenco, her confidence was restored and her eagerness to regain respect by proving herself as an individual escalated. Leading up to the 1998 Goodwill Games in New York, there was a great deal of pressure on Dominique to perform well. Embracing the challenge with determination and maturity, Dominique proved to the world that her will to succeed indeed overcome her adversity. She triumphantly captured the all-around title at the Goodwill Games. The gold medal reestablished Dominique's position among the world's elite. In the fall of 1998, Dominique encountered a very emotional and personal family struggle causing an explicable conflict with her training. Even with her name plastered across newspapers and magazines nationally, her privacy invaded, and her training interrupted, Dominique maintained a profound poise and maturity. Having missed a few months of training and competitions, some doubt has arisen surrounding Dominique's ability to rebound. However, enduring both tragedy and triumph, Dominique's unique and undying spirit as well as her love of the sport continued to flourish. In a determined comeback and spirited return to the sport of gymnastics, Dominique moved to Cincinnatti, Ohio in January of 2000 to resume training under the guidance and support of 1996 Assistant Olympic coach Mary Lee Tracy. Advancing from the U.S. Classic, through to the National Championships, and on to the Olympic Trials, Dominique was well on track to realizing her Olympic dream for the second time. Unfortunately, her planned return to the Olympic stage was cut short when she was forced to withdraw from the 2000 Olympic trials with a knee injury. Although Dominique's return to the Olympics was cut short, she proved to herself and the whole world that after all that she had been through, she still wore the heart of a champion. Leaving an indelible mark on the gymnastics world, Dominique continues to participate in professional tours, coach at summer gymnastics camps, and inspire young athletes everywhere. A gymnast by birth, turned champion by heart, Dominique Moceanu is the embodiment of a true Olympian.