$Coach John Geddert confirms Jordyn Wieber's stress fracture and new tattoo$

Coach John Geddert confirms Jordyn Wieber's stress fracture and new tattoo

Marina M on August 21, 2012, 4:30pm | More Posts

John Geddert, Olympic head coach and personal coach of team gold medalist and 2011 World Champion Jordyn Wieber, confirmed a few things about his star athlete via Facebook yesterday. He wrote that Wieber stopped by the gym, bringing with her two post-Olympic accessories: a boot for a confirmed stress fracture in her leg, and some ink, in the form of an Olympic rings tattoo.

As to the stress fracture, Geddert revealed after competition in London that Wieber likely had a stress fracture. Although she began publicly wearing a boot soon after the competition concluded, at the time of the initial announcement, Wieber reportedly had not yet had the necessary medical testing to confirm the diagnosis. Geddert's announcement yesterday confirms that Wieber, whose failure to qualify for the Olympic All-Around competition sparked vocal outrage about the 2-per-country rule and an outpouring of support for the 2011 World Champion, was competing in the Olympics, and likely in all-important pre-Olympic training, with a stress fracture in her leg.

Wieber's situation is eerily similar to that of Kim Zmeskal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics. After Zmeskal, who was widely favored for an all-around gold, disappointingly left Barcelona with no individual medals, it was revealed that she had been training and competing on a stress fracture in her ankle.

As to Wieber's ink, Geddert did not disclose the location of the tattoo. He did reveal, however, that Wieber's tattoo is smaller than Geddert's Olympic tattoo, which reportedly is on his back.

Update: Here is Geddert's tattoo, as posted on his Facebook page:

Photo: John Geddert

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Updated on May 22, 2013, 11:07am

Categories: elite, team usa

31 comments

Erica 8 months ago

in my opinion Jordyn was entered in way too many meets this year. I think her coach didn't want anyone to forget about her....with Gabby coming on strong and stealing the spotlight. She is the 2011 world champion she didn't need all those meets. To me she looked tired. One thing about coaching is you need to know when to push your athlete but also know when to pull back. I have been envolved in gymnastics for over 20 yrs and have seen many types of coaches. I have heard the rumblings about his ego but didn't realize how bad it really was until this year. Sad!

Aimee 9 months ago

I see nothing wrong with John's tatoo. He worked hard and sacrificed a lot to get Jordyn to the Olympics. Also, Sarah Finnegan would NOT have been the replacement for Jordyn no matter what. It would have been Ebee Price because she has an Amanar, better bars than Sarah, and a much more consistent floor routine with one of the best double doubles in the world. Sarah is a beautiful gymnast but her inconsistent nationals and trials performances would in NO WAY indicate that she could have stepped in and done better than an injured Jordyn. Jordyn was fourth in the world in prelims WITH an injury. One would have to be delusional to have put Sarah Finnigen, with little to no international experience, in to take Jordyn's place. Jordyn peformed magnificently in TF. There was absolutely NO reason to replace her at all. Anyone who thinks she should have been replaced is just an uneducated gymnastics fan. I'm sorry to sound so harsh about this, but I strongly feel this way.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

I agree with all the praise for Chow, he seems like a wonderful coach and person. He has coached 2 very successful Olympians and has stayed humble. I believe that John Geddert should be proud of all of his hard work coaching an Olympian, but that tattoo is over the top. I was thinking that even if I saw that Michael Phelps got a Olympic tattoo with the words "Gold" on it I would immediately think that he was arrogant and tacky, let alone a coach.

Anna 9 months ago

This guy is unbelievable. Not only did he get this ridiculous tattoo and post it for the world to see (despite not having actually been an Olympian), he complained about the rules and other athletes during the Olympic Games, and made excuses for Jordyn's performance afterwards. No class. I agree with the other comments. Do you see people with integrity, like Chow, trying to get attention for things like this? No. He wants his athletes to be the ones receiving the accolades and spotlight. If I had a daughter doing gymnastics, never in a million years, would I let her NEAR this man.

S 9 months ago

That is one of the worst, tackiest tattoos I've ever seen. It looks like a 12-year-old drew it on with a set of coloured pens.
To my mind, Chow is the most talented coach on the team. It can't have been that difficult to bring Gabby on physically, because she has all the raw talent. But to calm her mind, steady her nerves, build her confidence, develop her self-belief in a two-year period? To me that shows true qualities as a coach.
I love the relaxed way Chow watches his gymnasts compete, with his arms folded. Those vibes transmit to the gymnast and keep them calm. He is a legend.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

Yeah Norah Flatley is good. Keep an eye out for her. If history repeats itself, Norah will win All-Around at olympics team trials.

Norah Flatley from Chows, Katelyn Ohashi from WOGA. It will be a Chow-Veleri Liukin reunion in Rio 2016. Samba Time!

drawoC suomynonA 9 months ago

Agree, Jordyn should be the one who disclose HER tattoo.

First thing you notice about Liang Chow? That damn guy smiles A LOT!!! And that rubs off on all his gymnasts. A happy gymnast is a good gymnast - a confident gymnast. And when you smile during your routine, that rubs off on the judging too.
.
I like this quote from Chow: "Iâm here for the kids. Iâm not here for them to achieve my ambitions. I feel like my athletic life is over......They need to be enjoying themselves. And for this level, itâs not easy. They have to have the heart to......I found the joy out of that. Thereâs nothing better than to help your younger generations, your students, achieve their goals, achieve their dream.â
Did you hear that Geddert? "I'm not here for them to achieve my ambitions..."
[Chow was too young for the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, South Korea - though it would have been nice to see Chow and Nastia's dad, Valeri Liukin, duking it out in Seoul, SK]
I'm looking forward to seeing how Chow will develop Norah Flatley and Alexis Vasquez. I think they are both 12 years old now, and are well paced for the 2016 Rio Olympics. Norah (and I've seen her perform) has a lot of potential. Make it a Chow US Olympics Trials AA three-peat ---> Shawn (2008), Gabby (2012), Norah (2016).

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

oh please. John Geddert didn't head coach a darn thing. That was just a fancy title. Someone had to have, it may as well have been him. I think Chow should have been head coach. All Around silver last quad, All Around gold this quad. Chow seems like happy go lucky team player, very cheery unlike John who is about stealing focus from athletes who aren't "his" with stupid, vapid, myopic blog rants and childish tweets and retweets. Tattoo it on your forehead for all I care, but to tattoo it, then tweet it or instagram it or whatever to your 'adoring public' imo is just GAUDY AND TACKY!

And why is he mentioning Jordyn got a tattoo? Who is he to tell that? Let Jordyn disclose that on her own time if she wants to. It's his place!

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

John G. disgusts me-----he is so self centered and only wants the glory for himself. He bet on Jordyn to give him the glory----slimy man. He is always so quick to build up his "reputation" and place himself in the limelight when any decent coach would shine the spotlight on their athlete. He may be a good coach in technical terms, , but he is a self centered, egotistical person... and I don't like him because of that. Teenage Jordyn showed herself to be a much more mature person than her coach. She should coach him in some ways!!!!!

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

I don't like John on a personal level, BUT I will say that he worked as hard as Jordy to get her to the Olympics & can commemorate THEIR success any way he chooses. Coaches of these athletes sacrifce a great deal to get the gymnast to that level of success. While he wasn't wearing a leo competing routines, without his guidance, leadership & sacrifce, she would not have the Olympic opportunity.And he was the Olympic Head coach. If we wants to get a tacky tattoo, good for him. He earned the gold too.

Anonymous 9 months ago

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

Pretty lame that this site Gymnastike edits or take out your comment that they don't like.
My previous comment was deleted by someone (author) and I didn't even cuss. I just wrote as a joke:

I heard that Geddert was the one in the leotard that did the almost perfect vault, not McKayla. And it was Geddert that did a beautiful routine to "Hava Nagila" on FX that sealed the win for Team USA, not Aly. Thus, his large tattoo to justify the big win. Geddert suggested that the team be called the "Fierce SIX."
For some reason, someone (author) was offended by that and deleted it. How lame. No humor.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

John, miss thing, you really need to quit. It doesn't get any more gaudy than that.. What's next? Tattoo a gold medal around your neck? You may as well go for it, since you did all the work as you see it. And as for the people that said John Geddert didn't do balance beam in London, um think again --> (copy and paste) 2.bp.blogspot.com/-3eVlklASLMs/UCKvukSFDNI/AAAAAAAABsU/se69zUe3xOo/s1600/john5.jpg

Dandy 9 months ago

Almost everyone that knows John Geddert knows that his ego knows no bounds. Therefore it is completely in his personality to put a huge tatoo of the London Olympics on his back. And, then he puts it online for everyone to see. I have no doubt that he cares about his gymnasts. I just think his self promotion is over the top.

turtlegym 9 months ago

I don't see anything wrong with John getting a tattoo. This tattoo, however, is hideous. A simple one with the Olympic rings and even London written below them would be nice, but this is horrible. As for all the people saying they should've used an alternate to Jordyn: They didn't need an alternate in the team competitions because she did great. She didn't do as well during the individual event finals, but she still did well, and since most people didn't even know about the stress fracture, it just looked like she was tired and under pressure. Besides, you can't just throw in an alternate during individual finals!

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

really? as if Jordyn wouldn't put on her twitter that she got a tattoo and let him announce it. she posts pictures of everything else! I don't believe that for one second. I'm sure stress fracture or not she and her family and coach and sponsors weren't going to give a medal to Sarah and have her sit out. after all they say they worked their whole lives for it right? if I'm not mistaken the two injured in 2008 also competed in team and Martha didn't use the alternates. messed up system if you ask me, but still an amazing team this year for the gold. thats what matters isn't it?

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

I'm not sure if as a parent I would let my teenage child get a tattoo. The Olympic rings tattoo seems to be a staple among the Olympic athletes, which I think is a nice looking tattoo, but at least wait until you are 18. John's tattoo on the other hand......yikes! The fact that it says "gold" on it says it all, that's pretty tacky.

Mark 9 months ago

As a fellow coach, I've got to say I understand it. He put in the hours, made sacrifices, and worked hard just like Jordyn did. It's every coach's dream to coach an athlete to an Olympic team and he was one of the few to achieve that.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

ya sarah finnegan should replace the world champion even though should was able to push through the pain, true... cause Jordyn isn't a two-time national champion or world champion or anything

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

I have to agree with @DD.
If Jordyn got a tattoo like that.....well, okay. Big, but okay, I guess. Different strokes for different folks.
Aly...okay
Gabby...okay
Kyla...okay
McKayla...okay

but Geddert? A coach? Um....NO. With that big of a tattoo, one thinks he's actually part of the Fierce Five and performed a few routines on beam and floor.

DD 9 months ago

I was joking around with Geddert and Jordyn. Of course I don't expect Jordyn to bow out. I wouldn't either. It's a once in a lifetime deal. Anyway, Jordyn did awesome in the TF and the US got the gold.

I'm joking because I was surprised that Geddert went out and got a tattoo even though he's not even an athlete completing in the Olympics. Kinda like stupid parents living their sport dreams thru their kids. Read the Wieber post below.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

DD, you clearly have a beef with her coach. Are you saying if John had told Jordyn she need not compete because an alternative would replace her, that she'd happily bow out? No way. The Olympics are a once in a lifetime opportunity and I bet 99% of athletes will compete injured unless they're completely incapacitated. And there was no need for her to bow out. She was 4th best in the world in prelims and performed excellent in team finals. I bet she did better with a stress fracture than the alternates would have done healthy.

DD 9 months ago

If Jordyn bowed out to one of alternates, Geddert would have no reason to be in London or be head coach. Geddert's ego would not allow it.

Geddert: "Damn you Jordyn, this is MY Olympics. You're competing with that stress fracture!......By the way, I already have a London tattoo picked out for my back (even though I'm not an athlete), so you're competing. That's final!!! I cannot stand that Al Fong and his black gloves."
LOL! LOL!

SK 9 months ago

But Jordyn has proven consistency and success on the world stage, while Sarah is virtually a newcomer and lesser known. And let's face it, Jordyn rocked in team finals so it all worked out well. I'd put my money on an injured Jordyn over an unproven Sarah, although I agree Sarah is the prettier gymnast.

SK 9 months ago

But Jordyn has proven consistency and success on the world stage, while Sarah is a much lesser known. And let's face it, Jordyn rocked in team finals so it all worked out well. I'd put my money on an injured Jordyn over an unproven Sarah, although I agree Sarah is the prettier gymnast.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

Actually, they DID have a choice.......Sarah Finnegan. She's a well-rounder with a nice gymnast body type (international look) and better looking lines than the muscular Jordyn. Finnegan is a beauty when she moves, just like Nastia Liukin and Kyla Ross (another gymnast with the "international look.")

Sarah Finnegan:
4th AA - 2011 Covergirl Classics
3rd AA - 2011 Visa Championships
3rd AA - 2012 Jesolo Trophy, Jesolo Italy
Marta on Finnegan: Sarah is a "world-class gymnast, has the international look" (that foreign judges like in a gymnast)
Excuses, excuses. The Jordyn camp has to come up with something to satisfy her sponsors, who stuuupidly signed her before the Olympics. They are stucked with Jordyn (who is now considered NOT the best on the team). They could have had Aly, Gabby, or even the beautiful McKayla representing them. Kyla is not turning Pro.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

J.Wieber 9 months ago

Oh my G-D!!!!

If this is Geddert's tattoo, then I'm LAUGHING MY A$$ OFF.
facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152062844415445&set=a.10150367879350445.596050.848600444&type=1&theater
Dude, you're a coach, not a big time athlete. I can understand an Olympic swimmer or any athlete getting one of those tatt or a nice little Olympic ring logo, BUT dude, you're a coach, man, not an Olympian.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

are you stupid, there was no other choice than Jordyn. and they aren't making excuses.. there just saying she has a stress fracture.

Anonymous Coward 9 months ago

So why didn't they use the alternate if she was injured. Excuses. Will she still tour