Interview with American Cup alternate, Chris Brooks, before the American Cup

Gymnastike caught up with Chris Brooks, the alternate in the American Cup, the day before the competition.  Chris shared his feelings on being the alternate and talked about his opportunity to show his routines as an exhibition.

Chris at the 2010 Visa Championships
Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images North America

Gymnastike:  You’re the alternate here tomorrow.  What are your goals for showing your routines?

Chris:   I guess just go out there and have a good showing.  It’s a pretty stress-free situation.  I know every competition is important and you want to have a good showing, but I think not having my scores officially counting, I’m basically an exhibitionist.  I think it’ll be a good opportunity for me to get some good experience and maybe try a new thing or two and see how I handle the pressure.

Gymnastike:  You were on the world team in 2010 and in 2011 you were the alternate, and here you are the alternate.  How does that affect your mindset here and in training in preparing for the Olympics?

Chris:  I don’t think it’s really affecting me.  I think it shows I have a lot to offer.   I think I’m a good all-around.  I think the committees that make selections like that see that I’m a really good alternate.  If something happens to any competitor on the team, I should be able to fill their spot at least close to what they would be able to perform if they were healthy.  But now, you know, being the alternate is also stressful going into an Olympic year that you know, I am very good at being the alternate.  I can fill in most spots, so I have to make that push to change myself from being perfect for a fill-in to being solid on the team.

Gymnastike:  Where do you think you could most contribute to the team?

Chris:  I think where I can make the biggest difference could be on pommel horse, rings, and vault.  Parallel bars and high bar are two of my stronger events, but they are also two of the strongest events for the United States.  So to make a difference and make an impact, I really need to step it up on pommel horse and rings.

Gymnastike:  When is your next competition?

Chris:  I’m going to the Pacific Rim Championships in Seattle a few weeks.

Gymnastike:  So are you seeing this as a test for that?

Chris:  Yes . . . originally, before I got the opportunity to do this, I was preparing for H&I, which was this weekend.  That was kind of my warm-up meet to see where I was at for Pac Rims.  So the plan really hasn’t changed.  This is a good stepping stone to see where I’m at and make the changes I need to for Pac Rim.

Gymnastike:  What are you most looking forward to in New York?

Chris:  Competing at Madison Square Garden.  I think that that’s awesome.  I think that not many people get to say that they’ve done that and I’m pretty excited. 

Gymnastike:  Thanks so much.

Chris:  Thank you.