2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic GamesJul 1, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
Fun Facts About the 2016 U.S. Men's Olympic Team
Fun Facts About the 2016 U.S. Men's Olympic Team
The U.S. Men's Olympic team was named last weekend at the Olympic Trials in St. Louis: Chris Brooks, Jake Dalton, Sam Mikulak, Alex Naddour, and John Orozco
The U.S. Men's Olympic team was named last weekend at the Olympic Trials in St. Louis: Chris Brooks, Jake Dalton, Sam Mikulak, Alex Naddour, and John Orozco.
Check out some fun facts about the team below:
Unlike women’s gymnastics, elite men often use college as a springboard for their careers rather than the grand finale. And in the world of men’s gymnastics, Oklahoma is surely one of the biggest launching pads.
Dalton, Brooks, and Naddour all competed at Oklahoma, and Dalton still trains there. Naddour currently trains with his dad in Arizona at the USA Youth Fitness Center, while Brooks trains at the U.S. Olympic Team Training Center. Additionally, the head Olympic coach, Mark Williams, is the head coach at Oklahoma.
Two members of the men’s team are married to former successful gymnasts—Naddour to Hollie Vise, and Dalton to Kayla Nowak. Both are former Oklahoma gymnasts, and Vise was the 2003 world champion on bars.
All five 2016 team members traveled to the 2012 Olympics in London. Mikulak, Dalton and Orozco were on the team, while Brooks and Naddour were alternates.
The team's average age is 24.8, compared to 20.8 in 2012. Mikulak and Orozco are both 23, Dalton is 24, Naddour is 25, and Brooks is 29.
In 2012, Mikulak and Orozco were both 19, Dalton and Danell Leyva were 20, and Jonathan Horton was 26.
For many of the team members, a history of gymnastics runs in their families. Both of Mikulak’s parents received full athletic scholarships to UC Berkeley, and got him involved in gymnastics when he was two years old.
Brooks’ dad was a gymnast, as well as his bother and sister. As mentioned above, Naddour’s dad owns a gym, and he was a also a gymnast at Arizona State. Naddour’s mom was a gymnast at Ohio State, and his brother competed at Oklahoma. Dalton’s sister did gymnastics, and Orozco’s brother Erik has taught recreational gymnastics.
These men sure have made their gymnastics-loving families proud!
Related:
2016 U.S. Men's Olympic Gymnastics Team Named
Emotional Interviews from the Five Rio-Bound U.S. Men
Check out some fun facts about the team below:
3 of the 5 competed for Oklahoma
Unlike women’s gymnastics, elite men often use college as a springboard for their careers rather than the grand finale. And in the world of men’s gymnastics, Oklahoma is surely one of the biggest launching pads.
Dalton, Brooks, and Naddour all competed at Oklahoma, and Dalton still trains there. Naddour currently trains with his dad in Arizona at the USA Youth Fitness Center, while Brooks trains at the U.S. Olympic Team Training Center. Additionally, the head Olympic coach, Mark Williams, is the head coach at Oklahoma.
Hitched to Former Women’s Stars
Two members of the men’s team are married to former successful gymnasts—Naddour to Hollie Vise, and Dalton to Kayla Nowak. Both are former Oklahoma gymnasts, and Vise was the 2003 world champion on bars.
A Team of Vets
All five 2016 team members traveled to the 2012 Olympics in London. Mikulak, Dalton and Orozco were on the team, while Brooks and Naddour were alternates.
The "Old Guys”
The team's average age is 24.8, compared to 20.8 in 2012. Mikulak and Orozco are both 23, Dalton is 24, Naddour is 25, and Brooks is 29.
In 2012, Mikulak and Orozco were both 19, Dalton and Danell Leyva were 20, and Jonathan Horton was 26.
Gymnastics Runs in the Family
For many of the team members, a history of gymnastics runs in their families. Both of Mikulak’s parents received full athletic scholarships to UC Berkeley, and got him involved in gymnastics when he was two years old.
Brooks’ dad was a gymnast, as well as his bother and sister. As mentioned above, Naddour’s dad owns a gym, and he was a also a gymnast at Arizona State. Naddour’s mom was a gymnast at Ohio State, and his brother competed at Oklahoma. Dalton’s sister did gymnastics, and Orozco’s brother Erik has taught recreational gymnastics.
These men sure have made their gymnastics-loving families proud!
Related:
2016 U.S. Men's Olympic Gymnastics Team Named
Emotional Interviews from the Five Rio-Bound U.S. Men