Dominique Moceanu Biography

Full name: Dominique Helena Moceanu

Age: 18

Birthdate: 30 September 1981

Favourite apparatus: Floor & beam

Favourite colours: Red, pink, black-and-white

Coach: Mary Lee Tracey

Gym: Cincinatti Gymnastics Academy

Siblings: 1 younger sister, Christina

Parents: Camelia & Dimitry Moceanu

Started gymnastics: 3 years

Favourite gymnast- Kim Zmeskal

Quotes:

"The past few years have been tough. But with God's strength it has been a great turnaround, beginning with joining Mary Lee's gym. It took awhile to get back in shape, but eventually I did it."

*"Workouts have been great"

*"When I walked into the arena  I turned to Mary Lee and told her it had been a long time, it feels weird"

*"It's exciting because I have trained my butt off"

*"She's been very focused and I couldn't ask for any more as far as her hard work goes at the gym. Her routines have been very consistent. Since we've been here she's been a little shaky. I think it's the feeling of competition again. It's been two years since she competed, but I always believe training pays off so I really hope she is able to pull it together. But it's better here to get the jitters out than at Championships or Trials."- Mary Lee Tracey at Classics

*"It's great to have them in the gym. We all help each other out whether in the gym or outside just getting some laughs. We work well as a team and get along really great." On Alyssa and Morgan

*"I like to think I'm a leader. It's a case of been there, done that. If I can use that to help out my teammates, that's great. I try to encourage them to step up to the plate and try."

*"When I made the Olympic team four years ago I really didn't know what was going on. I was overwhelmed. I just kept saying `Wow, this is the Olympics.'"

*"I'm happy with my career. I've done a lot. To make another Olympics would be icing on the cake."

"She's SO nervous. She hasn't been out here for a while. This morning we started on beam and there was Marta looking on and I think it got to Moc -- poor kid. This afternoon was a lot better. I really hope she does well tomorrow. She has been working so hard, and we still have a few more weeks until championships."- Mary Lee Tracey at warm ups for the US Classic

"All I really want to do is represent the US and do well. it would be nice to get an idividual medal, if possible, but... my motivation is different. I think the experience will be different this time because I look at gymnastics differently as an older elite. Making the team in 2000 would mean muck more to me personally than it did in 1996."

"Getting into shape- physically and mentally- is definitely the hardest part (0f coming back)"

On role models: "Well, I have to say my mother. She has been so awesome, and a great help to me throughout my life. She is a great role model."

"I am really fortunate that I have such awesome fans. I hope that I can be a positive role model. (fame) can be overwhelming, but it's also fun."

"Mary Lee has been such a big help in getting me back into shape. She's also a really caring person- just like she looks on TV."

On her relationship with Bela and Martha now: "I guess it's just a normal one. I'm not really in close contact with them, but it is just like old times when I do see them."

"I'd say I'm closet to Jaycie (out of the Mag 7). I really haven't talked to anyone else in a while."

"I don't have a lot of time but I do go online. My official website is a lot of fun. I like being part of it and hope other people like it too."

On her growth spurt after 1996: "I had to relearn a lot of things. At first I could barely do anything. It took some time but as soon as I got strong again it all came back."

On negative media; "I'll be honest, it was really hard to ignore, but I had to keep my chin up and just keep faith in myself and God, and just hope it worked out OK for me in the end."

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