Shawn Johnson Retires

Shawn Johnson will close out her illustrious gymnastics career, officially announcing her retirement from the sport on Sunday due to her lingering knee injury.

In a release from USA Gymnastics, Johnson stated, "I still have the heart, drive, and desire to compete and help the USA at the London Olympics," said Johnson, who also won two senior U.S. all-around titles. "Unfortunately, it has become obvious that my left knee is not able to sustain the demands of gymnastics any longer. All I can do now is gracefully retire and thank everyone who has believed in me and my journey.

"Being given the opportunity again by Martha Karolyi and USA Gymnastics to represent the USA has been the greatest honor of this comeback," said Johnson.

Johnson was on the roster to compete at this week's Visa Championships in St Louis in an attempt to make a bid at her second Olympic team. Johnson has not competed since last October's Pan American Games where she competed three events.

Johnson is one of the most popular U.S. gymnasts of all time. She burst onto the senior elite scene by winning the 2007 World all around title. In total, her career includes three world championship gold medals and four Olympic medals (one gold and three silver).

Listen to what Shawn had to say right after officially announcing her retirement HERE.

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Anonymous Coward 11 months ago

PUBLICITY STUNT

GymFan 11 months ago

This makes me so sad! She has been sooo graceful throughout everything and has set nothing but a positive example for all the young, aspiring gymnasts out there. Really, she was more down to earth than almost ALL of the other gym stars--its been a sad, sad past 2 weeks for USA gymnastics.

Anonymous coward 11 months ago

This has been a really crazy two weeks! I found out how stupid people can be. The posts about Chellsie, blame her coach-dad!! Shawn retires which is the right thing for her to do!!. Some Gymnasts fans are crazy have ruined the name of Gymnastics! Shame on a gym owner, to bite the hand that has fed his gym!! Good Luck Shawn with your future plans!!

K 11 months ago

Sad to see that she had to retire before the Visa Championships,I bet it was a really hard decision for her. She will always be remembered for her smile, fearlessness, and genuine love for the sport....and of course her Olympic Gold and Silver medals. :) Wishing her all the best in the future! She will always be an inspiration to many people.

Anonymous Coward 11 months ago

I wish elite gymnastics wasn't just about the Olympics. Then maybe she could have returned at her own pace rather than having to rush and risk injury just to give herself a chance to make the team.

Torrid 11 months ago

Why don't you people shut the hell up. You probaby get a paper and cry like a baby. This girls has more heart and love and respect than anyone of you trolls. You obviously dont know what reconstructive knee surgery is. So take your dispespectful comments to your bathroom and flush them with you face.

gymmie 11 months ago

i think shawn was talented in 2008......she made a promising comeback last year but I think she realized along the way that she had no chance to make this Olympic team. I just believe she couldn't keep up with this new generation and saw the writing on the wall. I am disappointed in her because she has not really been training for a while, so now it appears that she was using the media, fans etc to sell her book and to get endorsements. I just have a negative image of this current persona. I'm just not interested in anything she does at this point because I don't trust her.

Lauren 11 months ago

Gymnastics is insanely brutal... both physically and mentally. I understand that those who express their opinions on forums such as this one don't necessarily mean to offend anyone or do anything of that nature, but let's please remember that these girls are human beings, too. Their talents within the sport of gymnastics are not meant to benefit anyone but themselves. No one's entitled to be angry at Shawn because she withdrew. Obviously, most of the comments on this site are respectable and kind, but wow, have I seen some nasty ones elsewhere. It just bothers me so much that some people have the nerve to speak about these girls like that. I think it's amazing that Shawn attempted this comeback. I don't care about the rumors floating around, I don't even care what her real motive was. Whether it was to truly eventually make the olympic team or if it was to benefit from promotional opportunities... who cares? These girls have grown up being judged, it's what the sport is built around. They don't need anymore of that, especially as they try to exit the world of gymnastics. I hope that Shawn can find happiness without gymnastics in her life, and I hope that she can be strong enough to rise above the harsh comments that some chose to express. Good luck Shawn... You have already accomplished so much, you can only continue to more great things from here!

so shitty 11 months ago

even if she knew she wasn't going to win, it would have been nice to see her perform and show us what she has been working on, its all gone to wast now, like she couldn't have stayed for 1 more week?

michelle 11 months ago

No, the knee is not an excuse. After she competed at Pan Ams she had a re-injury sort of and needed treatment again. She has been doing all sorts of crazy stuff to try and heal her knee and get it strong enough for what she needed to do. Her body is sick amazing if you have seen in-you would know she has been busting her butt. She is sad I am sure because she really was trying. A huge loss for all of us fans-she is dynamic to watch, always has a smile on her face, completely the type of gymnast that is so fun to watch! Thankfully Gabby is always smiling as well. I cannot stand the stoic girls, look like you are having fun, Shawn always did!! Sad day for sure, best of luck to her. I am sure she will do great things!

Courtney 11 months ago

ehh I had a fealing this she would quit before she even began her Olympic journey. I really don't understand. She competed again AFTER her knee injury!!! I get the feeling she is afraid to her skills again or afraid to repeate what happened to Chellsie Memmel. Everyone in the sport of gymnastics has injuries they have to deal with (some much worse than others) and combacks which are hard, frusterating, and scary, but I just don't understand because I saw her compete her skills again after she had hurt her knee, and now that it's getting into crunch time, I feel like she would just rather quite and blame it on her knee than really try to fight back....thats my personal opinion. But Shawn you are a great gymnasts, and I genuinely wish you the best in everything!!

Jess 11 months ago

She was my favorite gymnast ever. Sad to hear her retire but I wish her the best of luck in her future!

Anonymous Coward 11 months ago

I hate to say I told you so but... the day of the Media Summit, I posted that this was likely to happen per the phone conversation I had w/ one of her U.S. teammates. There was no reason for my source to lie, however, it doesn't make this announcement any less shocking. I held out hope and didn't want to believe it, but this pretty much confirms it. At any rate, good luck to you Shawn Johnson. You will always be loved by many fans the world over!

sol 11 months ago

shame.

Shawn Johnson Retires

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