Have American gymnasts ever

[audie83]

Originally Posted by numblemon

What does the athlete have to pay for?

I'm not certain but I think most federations underwrite their athletes stay just for the duration of the Games-but not for family and friends hanging about.

[philippa]

I think some of the top athletes in the Olympics have even been known to do their event, go homel, and then come back for the closing ceremony!

I'd want to stay there for the whole time, especially if my competition was in the first week. Then I could relax and enjoy the Games from the inside during the second week

[JennFyre]

You have to think that most of the girls are not with their parents at the Olympics and have been away from home for weeks!! Between the camps and travel they may just want to go home. Their parents have to pay so I'm sure they all went home right after the Olympics. This type of thing is very draining on the body.

On the other hand.... If it were my kid I'd pay for the extra week and have them go to the closing. I mean it's the Olympics!!

[kitty]

Here is the thing. Usually the gymnasts are very young, so they dont participate in the opening ceremonies (curfew you know?). Also, their parents usually attend their portion of the olympics and they have had to pay for flight, room, board, tickets and so on. After the gymnastics portion (which usually happens at the beginning), the parents are broke and need to LEAVE.

[AnnaLovesGym]

I wouldn't want to leave either! But do the athletes actually get to see the ceremony? You'd probably be better watching it on tv.

Maybe in China there was issues with visas etc.

[alexandrite105]

i don't think u.s. gymnasts (or any gymnasts for that matter, except for extreme cases like tampakos being the the torch relay in athens) participate in the opening ceremonies because the gymnastics competition always begins the next day. it's one of the first competitions, especially the earlier sessions.

[Proud John Tesh CD Owner]

I think MLR says in her book that she walked in at least one of the ceremonies...Shannon's mom said she wanted to, but she was too busy gorging herself on the banana and granola bar her mom snuck into the village for her...

[Gymfan15]

The gymnasts have not typically participated in the closing ceremonies because 1) They go home before hand, and 2) I know that in Carly and Nastia's case, they had big name interviews the day after and had to fly home the day the Olympics ended. Shawn was able to squeak in the Closing Ceremonies, but she paid for it by going on the Letterman show with a severe case of jet lag.