Former Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson has decided that the allure of the 2012 Olympic Games in London is more than she can bear. The gold medalist is currently recovering from knee surgery that was performed in February to repair a torn ACL but is already working out with one goal in mind – a return to competitive gymnastics.
The athlete recently told the Des Moines Register that she has set her sights on a comeback. She said, “This is just the start and nothing is a sure thing, but I’m going to give it as big an effort as I can. It’s just exciting.”
Her longtime coach Liang Chow said, “I’m hoping she can get back to the competition floor by next year. For this year, mainly it will be the preparation stage.”
Johnson was 16 when she left the sport, after winning four medals at the Beijing Olympics, because she needed a break to do other things — but she never totally ruled out a return.
Shawn has taken advantage of the numerous opportunities that have come her way. In early 2009 she won Season 6 of Dancing With the Stars, presented at the 2009 CMT Music Awards, and the 2009 Teen Choice Awards. She also served as a Miss America 2010 judge.
So what has lured her back to the sport that consumed her life from age 6 to 16? The soon to be 18-year-old said that she felt the first pull when she carried the Olympic torch before the Vancouver Games.
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Photos: PicApp; WENN