Two Brothers, One Olympic Spot- cont'd
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Two Brothers, One Olympic Spot- Part Two
By Elizabeth Grimsley
But the Gluckstein’s bond is everything
but strained...
“We’re pretty close,” Steven said. “We live with
each other, we train with each other, we work with each other, and we’re always
with each other. It’s great, but sometimes you need your own space. But for the
most part, we get along, and we help each other out.”
Although they may see each other everyday at the
gym, the pair doesn’t really get to spend time together that often.
“The only time we really do get to bond is when
we’re training, and while we’re training, we’re either spotting each other or
doing our own thing,” Jeffrey said. “Then right after training, we go to work.”
However, when they’re at home, Steven and
Jeffrey like to relax and do what any other 21 and 19 year-old brothers do.
“At home we’ll all go and put on a Yankees game
or the Giants game,” Jeffrey continued. “We’ll sit and talk and yell at the
screen or cheer at the screen– whatever the score is– we’ll do it
together.”
In the gym, they feed of each other’s
energy.
“I use him as a training tool,” Steven
explained. “He’s an extra resource where if I’m having a bad day, I look at
him, and he’s jumping, and he’s working hard. It gets me motivated and inspired
to work hard, too.”
“It pushes me harder,” Jeffrey added. “I just
don’t like the feeling of if I’m having a bad day, that someone’s doing better
than me, so it really does push me harder.”
However, it’s not always easy training with
someone who you’re so close to.
“Sometimes it’s great, and we feed off each
other, and we get each other motivated and inspired,” Steven said. “But other days
it’s frustrating because he’ll be slacking off, and I’ll try to get him going,
and sometimes we butt heads.”
Sometimes it’s not easy training with a coach
you once saw as an older brother figure as well.
“My relationship with the boys is very unique because
I have gone from an older brother figure and teammate to a coach,” Bowen said.
“At the beginning it was hard, especially with Jeffrey because he always likes
to test his limits and flirt with boundaries. But now, I think the relationship
I have with them has really become an asset.”
It’s also helpful that they are fortunate enough
to have two coaches to look up to.
“Most people have just one coach, where our kids
have two experienced national level coaches,” Bowen said. “I really think
it's the family atmosphere and the fact that we are all so close that is
responsible for the relationships we have with the athletes and the success
we've experienced thus far.”
If one brother doesn’t get along with a certain
coach one day, they can turn to the other for advice or guidance.
“Sometimes Tatiana and Steven won't see eye,”
Bowen continued. “If that happens, I'm able to come in and say something like,
‘Come on Steven, shake it off, get back in there.’ And in that, he has someone
else to turn to for help if he needs it.”
With both Steven and Jeffrey working towards the
same goal, it’s hard not to say “the O-word.”
“I get visions of me standing in London, ready
to compete,” Jeffrey said. “But I’ve been telling my friends and my family that
I don’t want to overexcite myself. I’m not there yet, so I don’t know. “
“I can only imagine what it’ll be like to
compete at the Olympic Games,” Steven said. “I’m especially looking forward to
walking in the opening ceremonies, being around these strangers you’ve never
even met before, but they’re wearing the same colors and the same jacket as
you. It feels almost like a best friend, so I’m looking forward to that and the
patriotism and that unity between the Americans that are representing our
country over in London.”
“I know it’s going to be a huge honor,” Jeffrey
added. “I feel like it’s something you have to feel for yourself when you’re
there. You need to earn that feeling. You can’t just say what it is.”
But the question of who will earn that feeling
is still on the table.
“It would mean all my hard work paid off,”
Steven admitted. “I’m not in the gym all day, busting my butt, to watch someone
else go to the Olympic Games. I’m working hard, so I can be there and live it,
but honestly, I think I’m the best fit to go to the Olympics. I’m ready. I’m
itching to go there and kick some butt and claim a medal for USA.”
They may have the same destination now,
but after London, the pair has very different things in mind.
“If and when I go to the Olympic Games…”
Steven said. “After I’ll hopefully be asked to join the tour of champions and
get to travel the country with all of the Olympic gymnasts like Nastia and John
Orozco and all of the men and women’s teams and put on shows and demonstrations
for kids who are inspiring to be Olympians on day themselves.”
Jeffrey’s future is a bit more clouded.
When asked what he’s going to do once this whole
process it over he said, “Hopefully the Bahamas. I don’t know…”
But for whoever is lucky enough to
represent Team USA, you may think that achieving your number one goal would be
the end.
Think again.
“You can always jump higher, you can
always learn more flips and twists,” Steven said. “I’ve been in this sport for
13 years– I’m experienced, I have a lot of titles under my belt– and I’m still
learning new stuff. So you’re always learning, and you’re always having fun. It
literally never ends.”
So even after an Olympic Games,
nation-wide tours, and vacations, it’ll be back to training for at least one
brother.
“I really don’t see myself leaving this
sport,” Jeffrey said. “I’m in my prime now– not even. Most of the people who
retire are at least 28, so I’m just getting started. It’s a long four years, so… yeah, I’ll definitely go for [another one].”
With less than a week before the final
Olympic Trial, it’s all business for the Steven and Jeffrey. But no matter
which brother goes, Team USA will be sending a very good athlete to London.
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