16-year-old Johnson seemed to come out of nowhere, just in time for this Olympic Games. In fact, she hails from Iowa, where life-sized banners of her image now hang in the chain supermarkets. Johnson has quickly become America’s sweetheart, but she is far from just a pretty face for the sponsors. Her athletic prowess in the sport may very well be second to none.
Shawn Johnson’s 2007 Season
In Johnson’s very first season as a senior, she won every competition she entered. Besting experienced teammate Nastia Liukin, who was the best US hope for gold before Johnson arrived, one might expect tension between the two ladies, but so far the team cohesion has stayed tight.
Johnson is the reigning World and US Champion, and only the fourth American woman to win the all around World title. She also has a handful of gold medals on individual events, especially floor exercise. In 2008, she increased her difficulty level, making her a real force to reckon with on the Olympic stage.
Johnson’s Road to the Olympic Finals
From the start, it was clear that Johnson would make the Olympic team and be a serious contender for the all-around. After winning the 2008 National Championships, she went on to again finish first over Liukin at Olympic Trials, assuring a spot on the team. She trained solidly at the selection camp, and in the women’s gymnastics qualifying round again managed to place first all-around, with Liukin in second, contributing four solid routines to the US team’s second-place finish.
US Team and All-Around Hopes
In Wednesday’s team final, Johnson will compete last on beam and floor exercise. Since scores tend to build throughout the rotation, the last spot is generally reserved for the gymnast expected to score the highest. It will be crucial for Johnson to remain cool under pressure in these rotations, but as she has shown, errors are not in Johnson’s usual repertoire. Johnson will also compete on vault and bars in the second position, the only US team member to compete on all four events.
Aside from the team competition, where the US women are hoping for gold, Johnson has a very strong shot at finishing first all around. Aside from her cool, unflappable nature and ability to get through routines – even on the nerve-wracking balance beam – without wobbles, her routines have a high difficulty level and she is a fantastic vaulter. Her principle competition may come from teammate Liukin, who is looking to prove herself and top Johnson for the first time.
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