Carly Patterson Biography
Born on Feb. 4, 1988, Olympic gymnast Carly Patterson got an early start in the sport. She was born in Baton Rouge, Louis., and began taking lessons at the age of six. She was spotted by a coach while attending a friend's birthday party at a gymnastics club.
Five years later, in 1999, she became Louisiana State Champion. Shortly after, Patterson and her family moved to Houston, Texas. She made the U.S. Junior National team at age 12, and her family moved again, this time to Dallas. This gave Carly the opportunity to train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA).
After only a few months of training at the WOGA she was competing in international events. In her first event she finished second overall and won the bronze medal for the balance beam. Next, at the American Team Cup, she helped her team win gold. In 2002 she won the title of U.S. Junior National Champion and climbed the ranks to a senior international gymnast. She went on to win her first senior title at the American Cup in 2003, which put her in the running for a spot on the 2004 Olympic team.
On the 2003 World Championship team she helped her teammates to become the first group of U.S. women to win the World Championship. However, she battled a stress fracture in her arm all year long and would later require surgery. She began a tough rehabilitation after her arm was fixed and worked long and hard at a comeback. She returned in 2004 to defend her American Cup title, which she did handily. She swept all four events and won the all-around competition.
Soon it was on to the senior U.S. Nationals, which she shared a co-championship with teammate Courtney Kupets. The Olympic trials and selections followed, and Carly was named to the team. Carly left the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens a champion. She became the only other American gymnast besides Mary Lou Retton to win the Women's Individual All-Around (balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars and vault) competition; and in the team competition she helped the U.S. team take the silver medal.
After returning home to Texas, Patterson hasn't decided whether or not she'll try to make the team in 2008. She recently contributed to her official biography and is active with her sponsors. She's also taken an interest in singing, and has been recording demo tapes in New York.
Five years later, in 1999, she became Louisiana State Champion. Shortly after, Patterson and her family moved to Houston, Texas. She made the U.S. Junior National team at age 12, and her family moved again, this time to Dallas. This gave Carly the opportunity to train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA).
After only a few months of training at the WOGA she was competing in international events. In her first event she finished second overall and won the bronze medal for the balance beam. Next, at the American Team Cup, she helped her team win gold. In 2002 she won the title of U.S. Junior National Champion and climbed the ranks to a senior international gymnast. She went on to win her first senior title at the American Cup in 2003, which put her in the running for a spot on the 2004 Olympic team.
On the 2003 World Championship team she helped her teammates to become the first group of U.S. women to win the World Championship. However, she battled a stress fracture in her arm all year long and would later require surgery. She began a tough rehabilitation after her arm was fixed and worked long and hard at a comeback. She returned in 2004 to defend her American Cup title, which she did handily. She swept all four events and won the all-around competition.
Soon it was on to the senior U.S. Nationals, which she shared a co-championship with teammate Courtney Kupets. The Olympic trials and selections followed, and Carly was named to the team. Carly left the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens a champion. She became the only other American gymnast besides Mary Lou Retton to win the Women's Individual All-Around (balance beam, floor exercise, uneven bars and vault) competition; and in the team competition she helped the U.S. team take the silver medal.
After returning home to Texas, Patterson hasn't decided whether or not she'll try to make the team in 2008. She recently contributed to her official biography and is active with her sponsors. She's also taken an interest in singing, and has been recording demo tapes in New York.
Browse More Athletes:
