I’ve been reading on the other gymnastics blogs and sites lately that people are starting to worry about Shawn Johnson. The concern seems to be that all the media attention will ruin her game, that all the talk shows and appearances and interviews will distract her and ultimately place too much pressure on her.
While I see why this might be a concern and I certainly understand from where the sentiment stems (Kim Zmeskal in 1992, Vanessa Atler in 2000, etc), I’m not sure the gymnastics community should be so uneasy about the attention on Johnson. She has had an unbelievable year. She’s undefeated on the world and national level. It’s unlikely she will ever have such a magical year again. If she does have another such year, wonderful. If not, let’s let her enjoy this one for all it’s worth.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:02 pm
I am one of those getting worried.
Assuming that the Olympics is the highest goal, it’s time to start turning down media requests.
Certainly Shawn needed a break, physically and mentally, after Worlds. But that break should be over by now, I think.
I watched Kyle Shewfelt go through this dilemma for years. He turned down the majority of media requests. But it depended on his training plan. If the photo op was scheduled on a day off, he just might say yes.
Now … Shawn already trains “differently” than almost anyone else in the World.
Sherbo broke a lot of training “rules”. So did Khorkina.
Perhaps Shawn can do it as well.
And, as you say, if something does go wrong. She’s still one of the greatest gymnasts in history.
October 19th, 2007 at 6:26 pm
I definitely see your point, Rick. It seems to be a very fine line and if the Olympics are indeed the ultimate goal, then an athlete must prioritize accordingly.
When all is said and done, my hope is that Shawn (or Kyle or whoever, etc) can look back on a year like this one and feel that she enjoyed it to its fullest. Who knows what next year may bring? She might be injured or have an off day. Take someone like Kim Zmeskal. The Barcelona Games did not go as planned for her so I hope she enjoyed 1991 in every way possible. She certainly made history in Indianapolis.
But perhaps your point could use the same argument? If Kim had toned down on the media and hype, etc, in the months leading up to the Games, she would have had a better Olympics? I guess we’ll never know