Jennifer Sey is the author of "Chalked Up," her memoir about the ups and downs in internationally competitive gymnastics. She was the 1986 U.S. National Champion and a seven-time national team member.

Jennifer Sey's Salon stories

Monday, Aug 25, 2008 08:00 PDT

Athletes are just people

The outrage over Usain Bolt's chest-pounding proves that we expect athletes to be heroes -- and when they're not, we turn on them.
Thursday, Aug 21, 2008 12:00 PDT

Chasing the dragon

For young stars like Shawn Johnson and Lolo Jones with their whole lives ahead of them, the Olympics are a tough act to follow.
Tuesday, Aug 19, 2008 14:00 PDT

Fool's gold

The real question to ask after Liukin and He's routines: Why can't there be a tie?
Monday, Aug 18, 2008 09:00 PDT

33 and fabulous

The most astonishing event of the women's individual gymnastics event finals was turned in by a 33-year-old mom.
Friday, Aug 15, 2008 09:15 PDT

Watching Nastia's gold and Shawn's silver

As a former elite gymnast myself, it's hard to watch Olympic competition. But then Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson blew me away.
Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 12:00 PDT

How did Team USA gymnastics get so good?

What happened since the mid-1970s that turned the women's gymnastics program into the tour de force it has become? The Karolyis happened.
Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008 04:00 PDT

The beast

As a former elite athlete, I turn into a horrible, condescending jerk when I watch the Olympics with armchair fans like you.
Monday, Aug 11, 2008 10:00 PDT

Precision vs. power

The scrappy American women's gymnasts captured my heart, but I'm rooting for the Chinese -- they need some joy in their lives.
Sunday, Aug 10, 2008 11:00 PDT

Let 'em eat steroids

Plenty of legal and illegal things enhance performance. When I was a gymnast, I'd have taken any of either that would have made me better.
Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 03:00 PDT

Breakfast of also-rans

What do McDonald's, Budweiser and other advanced nutritional supplements have to do with the Olympics?
Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 01:00 PDT

Why watching the Olympics is torture for me

As a former top gymnast, I know what it feels like to stand on a 4-inch-wide plank, carrying the world on your 16-year-old shoulders.
Saturday, Aug 9, 2008 01:00 PDT

Why watching the Olympics is torture for me

As a former top gymnast, I know what it feels like to stand on a 4-inch-wide plank, carrying the world on your 16-year-old shoulders.
Friday, Aug 8, 2008 09:00 PDT

Why are gymnasts so young?

Half of the Chinese "women" may be under the minimum age of 16. Something's wrong when you have to be a kid to win.

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