Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller says the road to London 2012 goes through Chicago for any hopeful gymnasts.
Miller stopped in Chicago Tuesday to discuss the upcoming 2012 Secret U.S. Classic in Chicago, which is a feeder competition for the U.S. Nationals, and just three stops removed from the quadrennial Summer games.
The Secret U.S. Class will be held held May 26 at the UIC Pavilion. Winners from the event will qualify for the national competition. Those who place at the national competition will move on to trials for the U.S. Olympic team that will attend the London 2012 Olympics.
“You want to focus on staying healthy, staying conditioned, but most of all perfecting every skill every single day,” said Miller.
With 101 days until the summer 2012 Olympics, the pressure is already starting to build for athletes hoping to qualify.
Miller was a member of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics team at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia, 16 years ago where she won a gold medal for the balance beam, helping her entire team win the gold.
“It’s a mix of emotions, it’s such a magical moment,” Miller said on winning a gold medal. “You can hardly put words to it.”
Miller, the most decorated U.S. Olympian in history, will attend the 2012 Secret U.S Classic and will also be covering the gymnastics events at the Olympics in London.
