Geddert, Zhang Named Olympic Team Coaches

Geddert, Zhang named Olympic Team Coaches

By Elizabeth Grimsley

John Geddert has been named head coach of the 2012 Women’s Olympic gymnastics team. Jenny Zhang was selected as the assistant coach because of the one-woman coach rule that USA Gymnastics has set in place.

Geddert, who coaches Jordyn Wieber at Geddert’s Twistars USA, led the U.S. women to the team gold at the 2011 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, as well as Wieber to All Around gold and balance beam bronze. Zhang, along with her husband Howie, are the personal coaches of first-year senior Kyla Ross at Gym-Max.

Geddert and Zhang will serve as the main coaches during all team competition, including team qualification and finals. However, during the all around and event final competitions, athletes will be able to use their personal coaches on the floor.

Other coaches on the staff include Gabby Douglas’ coach Liang Chow, Aly Raisman’s coach Mihai Brestyan, and McKayla Maroney’s coach Artur Akopyan as well as national Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi. 

The 2012 Men’s Olympic gymnastics head coach, named months prior to the Olympic Trials, is Kevin Mazeika. Tom Meadows, coach of Jonathan Horton and alternate Chris Brooks is the assistant coach.

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