Q&A
Who has inspired you in your career?
At the end of my freshman year, one of my best friends and teammates on The Woodlands team died in a car accident. She was an outstanding gymnast who had competed in the 1992 Olympic Trials and was an alternate. She joined the diving team right after I did.

She was such a big part of our team. She was the glue that held all of us together. She provided comic relief and was everyone's best friend. It was hard on all of us to lose her, though it brought our team together. At the nationals, we were all carrying a lot of emotion because we missed her and wished she could be there. Before the meet, I pulled everyone to the side. "I don't care what happens because we have all been through so much," I told my teammates. "I am going to do my best as a way to thank all of you. You all mean so much to me." I won my first national title.

What is it like being in an international competition?
Being able to compete internationally is incredible. I enjoy the nervousness and excitement of standing on the podium and watching the American flag being raised while the national anthem is played. It is thrilling just to see the athletes. At the Goodwill Games, I stayed up until 2:00 a.m. in the hotel lobby just to watch track star Michael Johnson walk by.

How do you relate to young children in the sport?
I love seeing kids at our meets. When I was a little gymnast, I remember going to watch the stars compete. I hung over the rail, looking for my superheroes. If I can be an inspiration to a kid and change a child's outlook for the better, that means everything to me. I want kids to believe in themselves. Dreams do come true.

The Olympic Spirit in YOU!
Inspiration played an important role in helping Laura Wilkinson achieve her best. Olympic athletes are excellent role models to inspire us to higher achievement. But so are people who are around us everyday -- classmates, friends, teachers, parents, and community leaders. Do the following exercise to help you understand the inspiration you can receive and share with your friends and the people around you.

List three of your favorite Olympians. What is it about them that that inspires you? Now think about a goal you have accomplished, such as getting higher grades in school, excelling in sports competitions, or participating in a certain activity. List the things that inspired you to accomplish these goals. Compare the list of things that inspired you against the list of Olympian "inspirations." Using this list, look for these inspiring qualities in the people that are in your life everyday. Share these inspiring qualities with others.

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.