DM: Congratulations on your team gold and personal accomplishments at the 2007 Stuttgart World Championships! Not only did you serve as a leader and a competitive "rock" for the U.S. gold medal-winning team, but you brought home individual medals, a silver and bronze on floor and vault, respectively. As with any World Championships, there's an entire spectrum of emotions, we'd love to hear about your Stuttgart experience!
AS: The day of departure for Stuttgart, we actually had training in the morning in Houston, which was light (only conditioning and some Bars and Beam). After morning workout, we showered quickly, packed our things up and made our way to the airport. We flew to Newark, and from Newark, we had our 7 hour flight to Frankfurt. Once we arrived in Frankfurt, we had to collect our bags and then take a 3 hour bus ride to Stuttgart. Once we finally got to Stuttgart, we settled into our hotel and got some lunch. After a few hours of rest, we trained at a local gym for a few hours just to get our bodies moving.
DM: What was the intensity level like during your first practice in Germany? Were the younger team members nervous? Were you nervous? What was the vibe like between the athletes, coaches and Marta Karolyi?
AS: The first day of official training is always kind of crazy. Everyone is a little stressed from traveling, and it isn't always the best workout. Marta and the coaches were relatively calm, which made practice run a little more smoothly. I was very proud of the younger girls on the team. They handled themselves very well, and they didn't get distracted by the other teams in the gym. We went in, did our assignments and left.
DM: Team USA had an impressive team total after the preliminary competition. Team USA was in a similiar position at last year's World Championships. What were your thoughts heading into the team finals?
AS: Going into finals, the team was confident that we could do well. We had high hopes and expectations. I knew that if we went into the competition and performed well, we would have a good chance at the gold...but I knew it wasn't going to be easy. The girls were pumped up after prelims and were thinking we had it in the bag already, but Nastia and I had to give them a little “come to Jesus talk” to remind them that last year we were in this same position and came home with a silver, which brought them back to reality. I told them that it was going to be a hard meet, and we couldn't hold back if we wanted that gold medal!
DM: It was clear that you functioned well as the emotional leader and captain of Team USA. How did you keep your teammates calm? Was there anything special you'd say to motivate them?
AS: The role of team leader came natural to me. I was the oldest and one of the most experienced, and I felt that it was my job to help out the younger girls as much as I could. When the time came for us to compete, everyone was excited and a little nervous. I just told the girls that they have worked hard for this, and I knew they had it in them to help bring our team to the top.
DM: We'll never forget your display of emotions after your floor routine in the team final! It was clear that you knew Team USA had won the gold medal. Your tears appeared to represent relief and achievement. Can you share with us what was going through your mind?
AS: After my floor routine, it was like all the stress that had been on my shoulders had been lifted off. I knew in my heart that we had won even before that score came out. Then the tears came, it was like all of my emotions that I've held in through the whole competition came out right then and there after that routine. It's the best feeling in the world knowing that your routine and your score is what clinched that gold medal we wanted so badly.
DM: After coming off the high of winning the team gold, you returned to the event finals to earn a bronze on vault and a silver on floor . Your reaction after your floor routine showed us that you were not satisfied. What was going on in your head?
AS: The first thing that went through my mind after that 2 1/2 layout was, "I AM NOT FALLING ON THIS!" I tried to cover the bobble up quickly and finish my routine, which I managed to do. I'm not going to lie...I was upset after seeing my score. Even though I knew it wasn't my best floor routine, I only really had that bobble, and I had the thought in my mind that I had wanted to get my floor title back.
DM: Overall, there is no doubt that you must be pleased to earn "the complete set" of gold, silver and bronze medals at the 2007 Worlds Championships. What was the highlight of the competition for you?
AS: It was definitely bringing home that Team Gold medal. Having fallen short last year, it was really important to us to get the job done this year, and we did.
DM: What was your highlight of your trip to Germany, outside of the competitive arena?
AS: My highlight of the overall trip was all of the quality time I got to spend with the girls. We are so close now that it’s like we are sisters. I also had a blast the one morning we got off when we went into town and got to meet up with our parents and go shopping for a few hours.
DM: What are your plans for your education for the remainder of this year and 2008? Marta Karolyi strongly suggested that you not participate in NCAA Collegiate Gymnastics this upcoming season. Will you continue to take classes at Brown University?
AS: This year I will be attending Brown and taking classes but I will not be competing gymnastics for them. I'm putting my main focus on classes and training for the Olympics.
DM: Good for you! Did Marta advise you not to attend classes this year? How do you feel about this decision? Did you feel pressured?
AS: No, Marta never told me not to go back to school. She just told me that if I wanted to be on the Olympic Team, I needed to focus on elite gymnastics and not compete NCAA, which I knew I had to do anyways.
DM: You've been quoted as saying that college life and collegiate gymnastics helped keep you "sane." Do you think you can keep your sanity by focusing on elite gymnastics only as you head into the 2008 Olympic season?
AS: I think as long as I am still in school, going to class and such, I will be able to keep my sanity while training for the Olympics. My roommates are great and support everything I'm doing and always try to help me out when I’m having a rough time.
DM: What would you say are the benefits of being a student-athlete? How has it kept you balanced with the intensity of elite gymnastics also on your shoulders? What keeps you most balanced (friends, ipod, yoga, etc.)?
AS: Attending Brown and taking part in a collegiate sport has given me a sense of normalcy in my life. Most elite level gymnasts don't get the opportunity to have a life outside gymnastics and I feel blessed to have this opportunity to do what I love and get an education and have a social life at the same time. My friends and music is what keeps me the most balanced when I'm stressing.
DM: As you know, I'm a big fan of collegiate gymnastics. Tell us what competing for Brown University was like for you? You've had quite an impressive competitive season while balancing a full course load.
AS: I loved competing for Brown this last year. It was a great learning experience. The girls are amazing, and I'm going to miss competing with them. I loved the team atmosphere. It was so different from the individual elite scene that I've grown accustomed to. I definitely think that competing back to back and every weekend for 12 weeks boosted my consistency, especially on beam.
**Alicia has recently made the decision to declare her professional status. If you wish to contact her, she can be reached through
Kelly at Trinity One Marketing, 617-833-9912.
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