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Olympic gymnasts inspire the next generation

Posted: 12:30 PM Aug 3, 2012
Reporter: Jenn Chapman

Olympic gymnasts inspire the next generation 8/3/12

"I just saw Shawn Johnson and that second I just told my mom can I do gymnastics?" said Exceptional Athletics gymnast, Mackenzie Edwards. "It was just like a bright light, it caught my eye. Watching her, kind of got me inspired just to do it."

The Olympics are a time for inspiration and these games have been no exception.

"When she did the vault she was so high in the air, it felt like I could be high in the air someday," said Exceptional Athlete gymnast Isabella Bledsoe.

The amazing thing is they can do all these different stuff and if they hurt themselves they just suck it up, they keep on going.," added Exceptional Athlete gymnast Hailey Burmeister.

It isn't just the female gymnasts that are leaving an impression, the males are too!

When asked what do they notice about the boy gymnasts on TV, brothers Aiden and Austin Schroeder responded "Muscles!"

"Big muscles, so how do you think they got these big muscles?" I asked.

"From eating healthy, exercising, having fun!" they replied.

And all it takes is trying it for fun and other reasons that don't make much sense.

When Nicole Hebert was asked what she likes most about gymnastics she replied, "Handstands, because I like bunnies and butterflies and hula hoops!"

For young athletes at Exceptional Athletics the Olympics come first.

"I don't want a puppy for Christmas because Olympics are more better than a puppy for Christmas," said little Aiden.

For most, making the Olympics is merely a dream, but even if it's not achieved, the journey is worth it.

"Because if you don't make it to the Olympics you're still doing and having fun in just your gym, your hometown gym," said Katelyn Steinmetz.