Inside Interview: Chellsie Memmel
June 07, 2008
with a vengeance.
Memmel first made her mark in 2003 when, after an impressive Pan American Games win, she got a last minute call to serve as back-up alternate for the World team in Anaheim. Once at Worlds, Memmel found herself competing after injury and illness, respectively, claimed team members Annia Hatch and Ashley Postell. Once on the squad, Memmel stunned, leading the field after prelims and going on to be the USA’s top performer on their way to team gold. (Individually, Memmel won a share of the world bars title.)
But Memmel’s fairy tale rise came to a crashing halt in April 2004, when a broken foot put her Olympic aspirations in jeopardy. In the end, Memmel just couldn’t quite make it back, traveling to Athens only as an alternate. And, this time, she stayed on the sidelines, though by the time the Games began many who watched the team train thought Memmel should have been on the squad.
In 2005, Memmel returned, better than ever, and became only the third U.S. woman in history to earn the world all-around title. (Kim Zmeskal was the first in 1991, followed by Shannon Miller in 1993; Shawn Johnson became No. 4 last year.)
But since her big win at Worlds, Memmel has struggled mightily. Two surgeries and intense rehab have kept her either marginalized or out of competition all together for most of the past two seasons. She made it to Worlds in 2006, but was forced to withdraw after the team competition and couldn’t defend her title. And, in ’07, Memmel missed out altogether.
But now, she is back. Not quite 100 percent healthy, but close enough for this tough 20-year-old. An impressive third after prelims, Memmel managed top two finishes on bars and beam, and was tied for sixth on floor, even with a sore thigh (quadriceps strain).
Suddenly, Chellsie Memmel’s name is back on everyone’s list for Beijing, which is just what she’s been hoping for. Is she finally in the right place, at the right time to make her Olympic dream come true?
Inside Gymnastics got the goods from Memmel herself before the meet began in Boston …
INSIDE GYMNASTICS: How does it feel to finally be back at the National Championships?
CHELLSIE MEMMEL: It feels great. I couldn’t be more excited. Last year didn’t go exactly as I planned (laughs), but I think it made me stronger as a person and as a gymnast. I’m really happy to be here.
INSIDE: How does this Olympic push compare to what you went through in 2004?
MEMMEL: It’s a completely different situation. Last time, I was just focused on trying to get everything back, get healed. It kind of took away from making the Olympic team.
This time, I’m healthy and I can just focus more on making the Olympic team. It’s a little more overwhelming this time.
It’s different, too, because I’m four years older, and I’ve matured a lot as an athlete and as a person. My training is different. I train less numbers but try and get the highest quality. My body can’t take as much pounding as it could before.
I’ve really enjoyed this process so far.
INSIDE: As an “old lady” of 19, do you understand this whole Olympic qualification process in a different way than you did at 15?
MEMMEL: I do understand it a lot more. I understand the whole process of making the team. I understand a lot more the politics now. I understand that they’re only going to take the TEAM that they think is the strongest. If you’re not strong on the events that they need, they’re not going to take you. It doesn’t matter how good you are on two events they don’t need.
You just have to be the best you can be and hope they need what you have.
INSIDE: Are you healthy now?
MEMMEL: I don’t think any gymnast is ever really healthy. I am feeling really good. My body has been good these last few weeks; I’m feeling strong.
It’s been a while since I’ve [been healthy at a competition]. At Worlds in ’06 I was competing with two different things and, last December, in China and Japan, I was still trying to deal with my shoulder.
I’ve had two surgeries in the past two years. Shoulder surgery and ankle surgery after the 2005 Worlds. I’ve had my fair share of [injuries], throughout my whole career, not just in the past four years.
[NOTE: After prelims, Memmel’s father-coach, Andrew, told the media Memmel had been struggling with a sore quadriceps and, at one point, considered not competing in Boston. Because of this injury Memmel watered down her vault in prelims and may or may not do the Yurchenko 1-1/2 in finals.]
INSIDE: What kept you going through all that?
MEMMEL: The want to be on the Olympic team. That was my goal.
I could have so easily been done after the 2005 Worlds. That was such a great year for me, but I still want to be on the Olympic team.
INSIDE: Did you learn anything from your alternate experience in 2004? You are actually the only woman who was in Athens that also has a chance to be in Beijing.
MEMMEL: I just learned that you need to work on the things that made them not want me, need me, for the team. I’ve really been trying to focus on my form and everything.
We weren’t in the Olympic Village, and they didn’t let us visit, [but] you still feel so much of the Olympic spirit. It’s cool because it’s a chance to show the whole world what you can do, ’cause, especially for gymnastics, the general public doesn’t pay a lot of attention to it for the [four] years in between the Olympic Games. The Olympics are the pinnacle for this sport, for everybody watching it.
INSIDE: Since you became the World Champ in 2005, gymnastics has changed a lot, including the new, open-ended scoring system. How has that affected your gymnastics?
MEMMEL: Well, you just have to focus more on execution for the “B” panel. And, of course, I’ve had to do a lot of upgrades, on almost everything, because you just have to do that to keep up.
I think [the new scoring system] is just pushing everyone to do even harder skills and try more things but, again, you still have to concentrate on your form.
INSIDE: Do you feel, after having been out of the limelight for a while, that you have something to prove at this point?
MEMMEL: Well, I’m doing this for myself. I’m not doing this for anybody else. I’m doing this because I want to be on the team. I want to help the U.S. team medal at the Olympics. I’m doing it for me.
INSIDE: What do you think you need to do to guarantee yourself a spot on that team?
MEMMEL: I just have to have strong performances both days [here] and at Trials. And really stay healthy.
I think it’s hard for anyone [to stay healthy]. I’ve changed all my workouts, where I do a lot more exercises and stretching a lot before each event and everything. It’s been working out for me.
INSIDE: Despite all the aches and pains, are you still enjoying the sport?
MEMMEL: Of course! Yeah, it’s still fun for me.
- Memmel Moments (June 15, 2008)
We share father-daughter duo Andrew and Chellsie Memmel's Boston thoughts and preview what we might see from the World Champ next week in Philly.
