Rookie Gymnast Vaults Her Rep

US champion can't let anything distract her in Olympic trials

(NEWSER) - When storms inundated Shawn Johnson's hometown of West Des Moines, they also left a foot of water in her gym. But the 16-year-old couldn't use that as an excuse to take a break from workouts: The reigning world champion gymnast was preparing for this week’s Olympic trials, the Houston Chronicle reports. More»

Coke, Adidas love 16-year-old gold medal favorite

(NEWSER) - Corporate sponsors like Adidas and Coca-Cola are latching onto a tiny gymnast with a towering talent named Shawn Johnson, the Washington Post reports. The smiling 16-year-old shares "brand attributes" with Coca-Cola like "genuine" and "fun," one exec says. She is also the world's reigning gymnastics champion and gold-medal favorite in Beijing this year. More»

Olympic figure skating gold medalist isn't dating gymnast Nastia Liukin

(NEWSER) - Never mind the rumors about Evan Lysacek dating gymnast Nastia Liukin—the Olympic champion in men's figure skating is single and looking. "I haven't had any time for dating while I'm training," Lysacek tells Entertainment Tonight . "I'm lonely." As for Liukin, herself an Olympic gold medalist, "we're very close friends and she's been such a great inspiration to me," says Lysacek, whose ex is ice dancer Tanith Belbin. "I'm honored to have her here." More»

(NEWSER) - The restraining order against Shawn Johnson stalker Robert Michael O’Ryan has been extended to 3 years, E! reports today. The Johnson family is “pleased with the decision,” their lawyer said. O’Ryan is being held in a California jail for trespassing on a studio lot—guns, duct tape, and all—in an attempt to meet the gymnast and Dancing With the Stars contestant. He faces 4 years in prison. More»

But some of the 2000 competitors were too young, FIG says

(AP) - China's 2008 gold medal gymnasts are in the clear, after international gymnastics officials said today the documentation provided confirms the women were old enough to compete. But the Chinese team that won the bronze medal 8 years ago still faces questions about the age of two competitors. More»