Will Jordyn Wieber become the next U.S. Olympic icon in women's gymnastics?
The odds are definitely in Wieber's favor to do something special at the 2012 London Olympics. She is the reigning world all-around champion. Wieber is one of the favorites to claim the all-around gold medal in London and would be the third consecutive U.S. gymnast to achieve that feat if she succeeds.
Wieber is on the path to becoming the next American Olympic sensation.
This profile offers essential information you need to know about this rising star:
Athlete: Jordyn Wieber
Nicknames: Jo, Jordy
Sport: Artistic Gymnastics
Age: 17
Hometown: DeWitt, Michigan
School: DeWitt High, Committed to UCLA.
Favorite Class: Math
Olympic Appearances: Qualified for 2012 London Games
Olympic Medals: None
Favorite Event: Beam
Website: www.jordynwieber.com
Social Media:
On Twitter - @jordyn_wieber
On Facebook - www.facebook.com/Jordynwieber
Personal Life: Wieber's parents are David and Rita Wieber. She has two sisters, Lindsay and Kyra and a brother Ryan. She has a pet dog named Lucy.
Hobbies: Shopping, scrapbooking and crafts.
Interesting Trivia: Wieber's mother wrote a book titled, "Gym Mom: The Twists and Turns of Your Daughter's Gymnastics Career" that details Wieber's career in gymnastics. Wieber is also a huge fan of pop singer Justin Bieber and dreams about meeting him in person.
Other Facts: Wieber devotes tons of spare time to charitable causes. She is involved in The Giving Tree Project at her church, volunteers at a local fundraising 5K race, and works with St. Jude's Children's Research Center.
Career Highlights: Since her parents enrolled Wieber in a community gymnastics class at four years old, she has experienced tremendous success in the sport. In 2008, Wieber was the U.S. junior all-around, vault and floor champion. Two years later, she won the all-around, uneven bars, floor competitions at the Pacific Rim Championships and finished second on the vault. Wieber also helped her team win a gold medal. 2011 became a major breakout year for Wieber. She won gold medals in the all-around, uneven bars and floor at the U.S. National Championships. Then Wieber followed up by winning the all-around at the 2011 World Championships. Wieber also helped the U.S. win a team gold medal and earned a bronze in balance beam. She is a three-time America Cup all-around champion (2009, 2011, 2012).
Additional Information:
John Coon has covered multiple Olympic sports at all levels as a sports reporter based in Salt Lake City. He considers the Summer Olympics one of his favorite sporting events.
