WASHINGTON, D.C. – The 2008 U.S. Olympic Team for gymnastics joined more than 500 members of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 7 for a visit with President George Bush at the White House.
The U.S. Olympic Team for gymnastics claimed 10 medals at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China, helping Team USA achieve one of its best performances in Olympic Games history with 110 medals (36 gold, 38 silver and 36 bronze). The 597 members of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team led the overall medal standings for the fourth consecutive Olympic Games while setting a new U.S. record for medal production in a non-boycotted Games. The medal tally of 10 – two gold, six silver and two bronze – is the most earned by the USA in gymnastics in a non-boycotted Olympic Games.
The members of the U.S. Olympic Team for women’s gymnastics that won the team silver medal are: Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa/Chow’s Gymnastics; Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas/WOGA; Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis./M&M Gymnastics; Samantha Peszek of Indianapolis, Ind./DeVeau’s; Alicia Sacramone of Winchester, Mass./Brestyan’s; and Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind./Sharp’s.
The members of the bronze-medal U.S. Olympic Team for men’s gymnastics are: Alexander Artemev of Highlands Ranch, Colo./Team Chevron; Raj Bhavsar of Houston/Team Chevron; Joseph Hagerty of Rio Rancho, N.M./Team Chevron; Jonathan Horton of Houston/Team Chevron; Justin Spring of Burke, Va./Team Chevron; and Kevin Tan of Fremont, Calif./Team Chevron.
The members of the U.S. Olympic Team for trampoline were Erin Blanchard of Lafayette, La./USOTC Trampoline Team, and Chris Estrada of Colorado Springs, Colo./USOTC Trampoline Team. Estrada was unable to attend the White House visit.
Five women’s coaches also made the trip to Washington, D.C.: Mihai Brestyan, Liang Chow, Andy Memmel, Marvin Sharp and Peter Zhao.