ANAHEIM – The U.S. men’s 1984 gold medal gymnastics team reunited today (Saturday, June 26) at the Olympic Team Trials in Anaheim, California at the Arrowhead Pond Arena. The team, comprised of seven men coached by Abie Grossfeld and Makoto Sakamoto, captured the gold in Los Angeles, the first team gold medal won by the USA.
Bart Conner, the 1984 Olympic parallel bars champion, was excited to reunite with past teammates. “It’s great to be back with my Olympic Team. My life has been defined and in many ways changed because of my Olympic experience. . . It’s hard to believe it has been twenty years.”
The Reunion was held prior to the men’s final competition, the competition to determine which six gymnasts will represent the U.S. in Athens. Other 1984 Olympic team members at the event included Peter Vidmar, Scott Johnson, Jim Hartung, Jim Mikus, Tim Daggett and Mitch Gaylord. Head coach Abie Grossfeld and assistant coach Makato Sakamoto, also attended.
“It was a special special time period,” said Mitch Gaylord, who won silver on vault and bronze medals on still rings and parallel bars at the Olympics. “The fact that we can all be here to wish these guys good luck on their journey is a very special thing.”
Gaylord brought his son to the event, and said it was nice to show his son, “what his dad used to do.”
Mary Lou Retton, the only U.S. woman to win an Olympic all-around gold medal, was also at the reunion. Before the men’s competition, she signed autographs at the Arrowhead Pond. “I am so excited to be here. . it’s been so much fun and we have become so close. It’s been so wonderful to see everybody.”
The women’s 1984 Olympic team reunion will be held at the Arrowhead Pond Area, Sunday, June 27 before the final women’s gymnastics competition.