Published: June 12, 2009 01:26 pm      

Olympic gold medalist Shawn Johnson works with young gymnasts in Southern Indiana

Reaching for the gold

Kendall Harberson’s face was serious as she stood on the balance beam at SIGS Sportsplex, preparing to do a dismount Thursday morning.

The 11-year-old worked hard to fight off the nerves, since this dismount was going to be done within a foot of her role model, Shawn Johnson, Olympic gold medalist and “Dancing with the Stars” champion.

Harberson landed the dismount, and Johnson congratulated her on doing a good job.

“I was nervous because I thought I might mess up in front of her,” Harberson said. “It was so cool because I’ve never worked with a gymnast that’s been in the Olympics before.”

Johnson — who won the gold for the balance beam in the 2008 Olympics — came to the New Albany location to work with children on their balance beam skills as part of a gymnastics clinic. She also took individual pictures with each participant.

“It’s an honor to be here and kind of see like where I was a few years ago,” Johnson said. “It’s crazy to see how far I’ve come and how far all these girls can go. It’s amazing to see the beginning of it and know what they’re capable of.”

Though she admits that she didn’t even know her own capabilities could get her the gold.

“I never really knew that I was going to make it or do anything big,” Johnson said. “I just love gymnastics. At the Olympics, I was standing on the podium and I wasn’t sure how I got there. It’s just always been kind of a crazy thing for me.”

Johnson said lately she’s spending her time traveling. This week alone, she plans to visit Chicago, Nashville and Los Angeles.

She said that though she missed having a consistent schedule, which was usually filled with training, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to have an impact on young girls.

That impact could be seen on the young faces, excited to meet their idol.

“It was exciting because she’s a role model to me, because she’s succeeded in everything she’s tried,” said 12-year-old Fatima Bly, who aspires to compete in the Olympics.

“It was really great to have somebody that experienced and was in the Olympics teach us,” said 12-year-old Rachel Deich, after Johnson helped her perfect her back walkover on the balance beam.

Many parents and family members of the gymnasts stayed, taking pictures from the sidelines.

“I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for her to be able to see the best and to get to see the best at such a young age,” said Tara Denzinger of her 4-year-old daughter, Avery.

Susan Kolozsvari surprised her daughter, Katie, on Thursday morning with the news that she was going to meet and work with Johnson. Katie’s birthday is about a month away, but Susan woke her up, singing Happy Birthday to her to announce her early birthday present.

“She was like ‘You’re wrong. It’s not my birthday!’” Susan said, laughing. “And I said, ‘Wouldn’t you like to meet Shawn Johnson?’”

Susan paused, watching her daughter work on the balance beam.

“I think she’s having the time of her life,” she said, smiling.

Rick Laemmle, who organized the event and also brought Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin to SIGS, said the clinic’s purpose is to expose young gymnasts to positive role models. He said a portion of the proceeds will go to two of Johnson’s favorite charities.

As for whether Johnson will win anymore gold medals in the 2012 Olympics, she isn’t sure just yet.

“I’m still trying to decide [if I’m going to compete],” Johnson said. “It’s a huge decision.”

While she’s traveling, Johnson said she squeezes in training when she can. Johnson, who is now a high school senior, said she is catching up on her classes via the Internet.

With a stint in reality TV under her belt and an Olympic gold medal, what’s next for Johnson is a question yet to be answered.

“I don’t know what I’m going to do next,” she said. “I’m still trying to figure that out.”



GETTING TO KNOW SHAWN JOHNSON

Q: How was it competing in “Dancing with the Stars”?

SHAWN JOHNSON: Dancing was the best experience, you know, ever for me. It gave me the opportunity to step back from gymnastics and kind of try something different and try something new. I’ve learned that I can do something different and it was the most rewarding thing ever, to be the youngest, the smallest ... it made it that much more special.

Q: How does winning “Dancing with the Stars” compare to winning the Olympic gold?

JOHNSON: I don’t really think it’s comparable. With the Olympic gold, it’s for your country. With dancing, it’s for yourself and just kind of for fun — definitely two different things. One thing I worked 16 years for, and one thing I worked 11 weeks.

Q: Was dancing much more difficult for you?

JOHNSON: I would say it was more difficult in the sense that I wasn’t training my whole life for it, and I didn’t have that much time to perfect it and it’s something I’ve never done before.

Q: What was it like when you won the gold?

JOHNSON: It was the most rewarding, most proud moment of my life. I’d gotten through the whole Olympics and gotten silver each time, which I mean, is the most amazing thing ever, but just to finish out the last [with a gold] ... it was the perfect way to end it.

Q: After winning gold in the Olympics and being on reality TV, what’s next for you?

JOHNSON: I don’t know what I’m gong to do next. I’m still trying to figure that out ... I’ve been given so many opportunities, I’m not sure what I’m going to do. I got back into training and I’m getting back into shape for gymnastics, if that’s what I want to continue to do. If not, there’s a world full of things out there.

Q: What was it like taking a break from gymnastics?

JOHNSON: It felt good to take a step back and kind of take a breather, but I miss it. I’ll get back into it and see if that’s where my heart still is.

Q: Do you have any advice for parents of young gymnasts?

JOHNSON: Just make sure they’re having fun.

Q: Are you going to compete in the 2012 Olympics?

JOHNSON: I’m still trying to decide. It’s a huge decision.

Q: How do you handle pressure at such a young age? (Johnson is 17 years old.)

JOHNSON: I don’t know. I think just growing up in this sport you learn a lot of life lessons and responsibility and discipline. Along with that comes pressure. At 7 years old, I was competing in meets and stuff. Even though they’re small, it’s still pressure for those kids that are competing in front of a hundred people. You learn about it and you learn to handle it.

Q: What’s been the most difficult part of it for you?

JOHNSON: The Olympics. That was the hardest, most challenging thing in my life. It was the most rewarding and the most enjoyable, too. Just being there and representing your country and having the pressure of your country on you, that was probably the most difficult thing I’ve ever had to handle.

Q: Do you know what you plan to study in college?

JOHNSON: No. I have too many interests. I have no idea what I want to do yet. Hopefully I’ll figure that out here in about a year.