Team USA, headlined by 2008 Olympic Beam Champion Shawn Johnson, will begin competition in Guadalajara, Mexico on October 24th.
Like the Olympics, the Pan American Games are held every four years. The American women have a long all around winning streak at the Pan American Games, dating back to 1987 with Sabrina Mar, and continues with Stephanie Woods (1991), Shannon Miller (1995), Morgan White (1999), Chellsie Memmel (2003)
The streak was again extended at the most recent Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2007, as Shawn Johnson was crowned all around champion and helped USA to the team title. She also won bars and beam and took home the silver on floor.
Here's a look back at Johnson's gold medal performances at the 2007 Pan American Games:
Balance Beam Event Finals:
This year, a different, more mature Shawn Johnson will represent Team USA and contend for Pan American Games medals. It is still unknown if Johnson will compete floor, allowing her the opportunity to defend her all around title. She said in this interview that "if my floor routine is ready by the competition, then by all means I will compete floor".
This will be just the third competition for Shawn Johnson since the 2008 Olympic Games. Here is a look at Johnson's comeback to competitive gymnastics at the 2011 CoverGirl Classic in July:
Johnson showed much improvement at the 2011 Visa Championships, just one month later. Here she is on beam in St. Paul:
The full women's team representing the USA in Guadalajara is:
Bridgette Caquatto, Jessie DeZiel, Brandie Jay, Shawn Johnson, Bridget Sloan, and Grace McLauglin who replaced the injured Chellsie Memmel. Team alternates are Hallie Mossett and McKenzie Wofford.
This is a totally different team than those who dominated the World Championships last week in Tokyo.
The all around favorite will likely be 2009 World All Around Champion Bridget Sloan who is at last recovered from injury, but expect Johnson to bring home a few medals from Guadalajara and continue her journey towards the 2012 London Olympics.
Watch more video of Shawn Johnson on gymnastike.org
Johnson showed much improvement at the 2011 Visa Championships, just one month later. Here she is on beam in St. Paul:
Watch more video of Shawn Johnson on gymnastike.org
The full women's team representing the USA in Guadalajara is:
Bridgette Caquatto, Jessie DeZiel, Brandie Jay, Shawn Johnson, Bridget Sloan, and Grace McLauglin who replaced the injured Chellsie Memmel. Team alternates are Hallie Mossett and McKenzie Wofford.
This is a totally different team than those who dominated the World Championships last week in Tokyo.
The all around favorite will likely be 2009 World All Around Champion Bridget Sloan who is at last recovered from injury, but expect Johnson to bring home a few medals from Guadalajara and continue her journey towards the 2012 London Olympics.
