Rita Wieber, Mom to Olympic Gymnastic Hopeful Jordyn Wieber Talks Talent, Intensity

Edited to add: Jordyn made the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team – CONGRATULATIONS, Jordyn!

When I was a little girl I wanted to be a gymnast.  Like Nadia Comaneci.  Like Mary Lou Retton.  I practiced diligently….until the day the bar I was on collapsed.  Three broken fingers and a knocked out front tooth later – my short and fairly unimpressive gymnastics career came to an end.

But my love of the sport did not.

The first Olympic event I attended in person was in 1984 in Los Angeles.  And it was Women’s Gymnastics.  I am certain my mom and I held our breath the entire time. I still do as I watch.

As it turns out, so do the mothers of the current Olympic Gymnastic hopefuls. Recently, while visiting the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Rita Wieber, mom to gymnast, Jordyn Wieber.

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