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The success of the “Fab Five” at theOlympicsthis week (go team USA!)
HS: Have you been rooting for the “Fab Five”?
HS: Were you watching on Tuesday when the team won the gold medal?
Do you relate to Gabby, who at 16 is only two years older than you were in 1996?
HS: In your book, you say your experience with your coaches wasn’t quite as positive?
My Olympic coaches, yes …
Coaches at the top need to know that nurturing is so much healthier than emotionally abusive [coaching].
But I came out a survivor from it all and I can help other people with my story.
HS: You also say you faced pressure from your father?
My parents grew up under communist rule in Romania – times were very different where they grew up.
In that way, I respect him – he allowed us to have a better life.
Without the added stress in my home environment, I’m sure I could have done even more.
HS: How has your life changed since you reunited with your younger sister, Jennifer Bricker?
How did you find out about her?
The envelope contained open adoption papers, photographs and a letter from a young girl named Jennifer.
Because of a clerical error, they had all my family’s information.
I had been her childhood idol her entire life, and I turned out to be her biological sister.
The reason why she started doing gymnastics was because of watching me.
When she was 20 she finally found us, and I knew I had to make it right.
HS: Are you close with her today, and your other sister?
We made things right and it allowed us to have another sister in our lives.
She’s broken all boundaries – she lives a no-excuses life.
She’s getting ready to perform at Lincoln Center tomorrow night!
HS: Are you still involved in gymnastics?
HS: What else do you do for exercise?
But I do love to try and I love to work out.
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