Q&A
Gymnastics is often called a young girl's sport. Is it hard to keep competing?
The reason I have been able to compete so long is that I love what I am doing. If a person doesn't love her work, she won't accomplish what she wants to, or should accomplish.

Did you ever want to give up?
Certainly there were plenty of times I wanted to give up. But a goal-oriented person can foresee where she needs to be and what adjustments she has to make regarding other interests. I have a lot to gain from what I've done and am doing. I didn't want to retire and end up second-guessing myself. I didn't want watch a competition and say, "What if I were out there? I could have done that."

Has gymnastics had an impact on the awareness of women's sports?
It's great to see how women's sports are making a bigger impact on society. I didn't realize what an impact we (the gymnastics "Dream Team" of 1996) made on the gymnastics community and on kids. And if we had a small part in that -- along with the women's World Cup soccer team, the dominant Olympic women's basketball team, and the WNBA -- then that's something of which I'm very proud.

What advice do you have for young athletes?
A lot of emphasis is placed on winning, but winning isn't a medal. Winning is the realization that an obstacle has been overcome, and a goal has been reached.

It is also important to be surrounded by positive people. Negative souls only bring you down, so don't be part of that. That being said, not every day is perfect. So when I feel down, I make sure I don't bring other people down. I refocus on what I am doing and get my outlook where it needs to be.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Even though Dominique Moceanu works hard to maintain a positive attitude, she admits not every day is perfect. Try this exercise to learn how to nurture a positive attitude.

Identify the two best days of your life. Describe as much as you can about your first best day. Write down what happened, where you were, and who was with you. Repeat this exercise, describing your second best day.

Now, create in your mind an ideal day for yourself. Describe as much as you can about your ideal day.

When will it happen? What will take place? Who will be there? What will make the day so special?

More Interviews

Akhnaten Spencer-El Alison Dunlap Anna Kozlova Barb Kunkel Chris Witty Dominique Moceanu Dan O'Brien Hunter Kemper

Jimmy Pedro Kevin Han Lindsay Davenport Laura Wilkinson Lisa Fernandez Mark Ruiz Ruthie Bolton-Holifield Tom Malchow

With thanks to Bob Schaller. For more great stories about Olympians, ask your librarian about The Olympic Dream and Spirit, Vol. 1,2, and 3, with Mr. Schaller, and Awaken the Olympian Within compiled by John Naber.