Public Appearances > Events Etc. > May 8, 2012: P&G “Thank you, Mom” Gift Announcement on The Today Show

It may be the “hardest job in the world,” according to a heartwarming new ad, but it’s also the best, if you ask the moms of some Olympic hopefuls.

With 80 days to London 2012, top athletes aiming for the games visited TODAY Tuesday with their biggest cheerleaders — their moms — to talk about the trials, triumphs and tears of competing at the top of their sports.

Rita Wieber, whose daughter, 16-year old Jordyn, is the 2011 world champion in all-around gymnastics, said that 99% of this journey is a labor of love.

“There will always be ups and downs that the moms go through but it’s been great,” she told Matt Lauer. “I’m very proud of her.”
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Rita feels like it’s her job to do the encouraging, not the pressuring. “I just be sure she’s fed and sleeping and give her all the support she needs and the coaches can do the pushing,” she said.

“My mom has been there through everything, and she’s been there through thick and thin, and she’s supported me my whole entire life and I love her,” said swimming champ Ryan Lochte, who’s aiming to make his third Olympic team, of his mom, Ike.

By the time Ryan was finished speaking, Ike was overwhelmed with emotion. “And you’re crying already,” Lauer said. “Imagine what’s going to happen in London. How are you going to survive, Ike?”

“I hide!” she said. “No one ever sees me.” Ike said she’s the type of person who shows her emotions all the time, so she makes herself scarce when her son swims. “I want to do that and I don’t want to be in front of all these people. I just want to cry by myself.”

Story: New ad gives Olympic (and regular) moms their due

That devotion and emotion is reflected in a new ad from Procter & Gamble called “Best Job” that celebrates Olympians’ moms and their sacrifices. It’s gone viral online, with nearly 3 million YouTube views.

Every time Ike Lochte watches it, she cries. “I just take it for granted, that’s my job and I love my job,” she told TODAY.com. (And yes, she cried just talking about the ad.) “I think every mother, every parent can put themselves in that perspective. I was talking the other night with a man whose son is in Little League, and it’s the same. You don’t have to be an Olympian to feel it.”

“We (moms) have gone through everything with them, all their sacrifices,” Ike said, adding that Ryan, while competitive, is also really easy-going. “I think he takes losing a lot easier than I do.”

Looking around the green room before appearing on TODAY, she dabbed her eyes, smiled proudly as her son gave interviews, and said, “This is just so cool.”

Teri Johnson, mother to gymnast Shawn Johnson, told TODAY.com the ad strikes a chord familiar to all moms, whether your child competes in the Olympics or the county championships. “It doesn’t matter,” she said, “It’s your child. We all have the same feeling.”

The best part of being an Olympic mom, said Teri, is getting to spend lots of time with her daughter. “Just to be with Shawn is great,” she said. “She’s always here, there and everywhere, or at practice — I will take any opportunity to spend time with her.”

Jodie Allen of Procter & Gamble joined the families on the plaza with a special announcement. Nearly 800 moms of Olympians and Paralympians will be gifted $1000 “to get to London,” Allen said, and are invited to visit a family house in London, where in addition to meals and other support services, hair stylists and makeup artists will be waiting to pamper moms.

As Ike Lochte dabbed her eyes, Lauer suggested the family home could be stocked with mascara.

“We’ll make you up every time, Ike,” said Allen.

Shawn recorded some promotional videos for London 2012 which share her feelings about returning to gymnastics and inspirations.

NBC Olympics has a whole bunch of new features just in time to promote London 2012, including brand new photoshoots, video clips, and interviews with all the Olympic hopefulls, especially Shawn. Shawn also has a timeline, that features 28 adorable childhood photos! Too cute!

Misc > Personal > Baby Photos

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Olympic Promo

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Raise Our Flag

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Road to London BTS

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Elite Gymwear

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Elite Gymwear – Catalogue

Media & Interviews > Photoshoots > 2012: Mess Behind the Glory

MESSY FUTURE OLYMPIAN

Iowa gymnastics gold medalist Shawn Johnson made a Tuesday appearance for sponsor Bounty’s “Mess Behind the Glory” promotional campaign.

The campaign celebrates mothers who indulge their rambunctious children rather than stifle their playtime in order to maintain a tidy house.

“Uh, yeah,” Johnson said when asked if she was a messy child, then gestured toward her mother, Teri, nearby. “She didn’t mind. She was always there … to clean up the mess for me.” {desmoinesregister.com}

Gymnast Shawn Johnson attempts comeback after layoff and knee injury

Since she won four medals at the 2008 Olympics, including a gold in the balance beam, Shawn Johnson has retired from her sport, written a book, won the mirror ball trophy on “Dancing With the Stars,” torn up her knee while skiing and had reconstructive surgery.

Oh, yeah, and she’s competing in gymnastics again.

Johnson, 20, who came to the Beijing Games as defending world all-around champion and Olympic favorite, accepted her silver all-around medal, one rung below American teammate Nastia Liukin, with both a smile and tears.

Now Johnson is willing to accept failure of a more dramatic sort.

“At the end of the day, I don’t know what to expect,” Johnson said by telephone from her home training gym in West Des Moines, Iowa. “There are a lot of girls out there, a lot of younger girls and it’s a lot harder. I have good days and bad days.

“My biggest goal, honestly, is to help the USA win team gold. It’s not about me.”

Johnson said that if her help is just showing her work ethic in practice gyms, that would be OK.

“I’m not a 16-year-old anymore,” she said. “I’m not as capable of doing the hardest routine on the floor anymore, but I am more artistic. I hold my own and after that, I’m a puzzle piece. We’ll see if I fit.

“Either I’ll be accepted on the team or I will not be. If I’m standing in that line where I hear, ‘Thanks for your effort,’ it will still mean a lot and I go on and try something new.”

Johnson’s longtime coach Liang Chow said it would be “difficult” for Johnson to make her second Olympic team. Her recovery from the knee injury two years ago, he said, “did set her back.” Chow also noted this year team’s can have only five gymnasts instead of six for the first time. “And the U.S. has many good gymnasts,” Chow said.

One of those is 16-year-old Gabrielle Douglas, who moved from Virginia to train with Chow and who was part of the 2011 U.S. world championship gold-medal winning team.

Johnson said it has been “an adjustment” to have her coach splitting his focus with another, younger, world-class gymnast. But now she appreciates the daily competition.

“I know what I have to do,” Johnson said.

Shannon Miller, who won seven Olympic medals, including two golds, in 1992 and 1996, understands how difficult it is for Johnson.

Miller was 15 when she participated in her first Olympics in Barcelona in 1992. She came back four years later, a grown-up 19-year-old with a different body and different mind to compete in Atlanta. She tried for an even bigger comeback that was ultimately unsuccessful in 2000 after she had left the sport for three years.

“I was trying to work with added weight,” Miller said of the way she changed from 1992 to 1996, “but also with different emotions.” And for the 2000 attempt, Miller said she discovered a new feeling that she hadn’t associated with gymnastics: insecurity.

Martha Karolyi, the USA Gymnastics women’s team coordinator, said confidence is a key for Johnson.

“The Shawn who was competing in Beijing, who won world championships the year before, that was a gymnast full of energy and enthusiasm and full of very good self-confidence, which is so important to do well in these competitions,” Karolyi said.

“If we would get the same Shawn now it could be great for the team. But she has unfortunately had to deal with injuries from the ski accident, so we don’t know.”

Karolyi said what she appreciates about Johnson’s return to the sport is her willingness to fail publicly as well as succeed, and the fact that Johnson can still enjoy the sport.

“To want to do it a second time,” Karolyi said, “you really love the sport, so it is nice and a compliment to our system and our sport that Shawn still wants to do it.

“But who will be best prepared, who will be at the highest standard, it is those girls who will be chosen for the team.”

Johnson said she wishes it were 500 days until the London Olympics instead of fewer than 100. “I have been taught this mentality of perfection,” she said, “and it’s a difficult thing to deal with that I’m no longer so perfect.”

She said that after her skiing injury, there was only an immediate goal of getting healthy for herself.

“Then I wanted to get fit and confident and then I wanted to get back to training camp,” Johnson said. “Now everything is back on track.

“And if it ends up I’m not part of the team, I’m OK with that. But I’m trying and I’m proud of that.” {bellinghamherald.com}

Why Shawn, Nastia, and Chellsie are Absent From the Final Camp Before Trials

Some have been wondering why Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, and Chellsie Memmel are absent from this week’s national team training camp – the final camp before the Olympic team is announced.

USA Gymnastics answered that question today on its Facebook page, stating that Shawn, Nastia, and Chellsie “were unable to fulfill camp expectations, which were to verify at least two full events.” In the meantime, they will continue to train at their home gyms in order to participate in the Secret Classic, scheduled for May 26, 2012 in Chicago, IL.

Notably, this announcement does not mean that Shawn, Nastia, and Chellsie are ineligible for the Olympics. The update states that they’ll keep training to compete at the Secret Classic in May.

The Secret Classic is the final qualifying event for the 2012 Visa Championships, to be held June 7-10 in St. Louis, MO. Performances at the Visa Championships determine who will qualify for the Olympic Trials in San Jose, CA, June 28-July 1. For the first time in a number of quadrenniums, the Olympic team will be announced at the conclusion of the Olympic Trials.

Who is at camp? According to USA Gymnastics:
Anna Li, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Amanda Jetter, Sabrina Vega, Amelia Hundley, Bridget Sloan, Aly Raisman, Brandie Jay, Elizabeth Price, Kyla Ross, Brenna Dowell, Briana Brown, Grace McLaughlin, Alicia Sacramone, Rebecca Bross, Gabby Douglas, Sarah Finnegan, Lexie Priessman, Mykayla Skinner, McKenzie Wofford, Madison Desch and Bailie Key. {gymnastike.org}

Shawn has signed with a few new campaigns for the 2012 Olympics. You can read about them below, and check out the brand new HQ photoshoot pics of Shawn with other Olympic hopefuls, and another of Shawn and her mom, Teri

Gold Medal Gymnast Shawn Johnson and Mom Teri Help Unite “Bring It” Moms Everywhere

CINCINNATI, Apr 24, 2012 (BUSINESS WIRE) — In collaboration with Bounty, Olympic gold-medal gymnast Shawn Johnson and her mother Teri Johnson are cheering on “Bring It” moms everywhere, who not only accept, but encourage the mess behind the glory. As a mother and daughter duo who knew first hand how a family’s support and celebration of the messes in life could help Shawn leap to the forefront of the women’s USA Gymnastics team, the Johnsons and Bounty proudly champion these fearless, uninhibited moms. These are the moms who don’t sweat the moments when spills and messes occur, but instead celebrate the bumps, bruises and spills that can help unlock their child’s full potential and make strides towards their dreams.

Inspired by these women and by the Olympic Games spirit to which mom’s support may lead, Bounty is announcing the “Mess Behind the Glory” Contest. The contest asks moms everywhere to share their “Bring It” stories and photos capturing the playful acrobatic moments in the home that sometimes have messy results.

Bounty will reward ten such moms with their own Ultimate London 2012 Olympic Games viewing party as well as provide their aspiring athletes with a special prize to help ensure they reach their goals. The contest, which kicked off on Tuesday, April 24, asks moms to share 60 — 90 second videos describing their child’s athletic dreams and how they let them “Bring It”! Shawn and Teri Johnson will help select the ten most inspiring stories and, in addition to an Olympic Games viewing party, they will also receive a year’s worth supply of Bounty and a $5K grant to help their children reach their goals in the form of lessons or training equipment. The deadline for entries is Monday, July 2 and the winners will be announced within two weeks of the deadline.

“We were so excited to be on team Bounty and show what it really means to be a ‘Bring It’ mother-daughter duo,” said Teri Johnson, mother of Olympic gold-medalist and gymnast Shawn Johnson. “In order to best encourage and support my daughter and her dreams, I’ve always given her the green-light to give it her all — even if that means having to tackle a few messes along the way! I am proud to be and support the “Bring It” mom in all of us!”

Today, Team Bounty is traveling to a Shawn’s alma mater, Westridge Elementary in West Des Moines, IA where Shawn Johnson will provide a gymnastic lesson in a living room scape prepared by Bounty. Team Bounty hopes to inspire young athletes and motivate Moms to not only accept, but encourage the mess behind the glory. The Bounty team says “Bring It”- be it your toughest gymnastic challenge or your toughest mess.

Beginning April 30, Shawn and Teri Johnson will be featured in the Bounty “Bring It” advertising campaign, airing in the U.S. on TV and online. With the tagline, “Let the spills begin,” the campaign celebrates the moments in which “Bring It” moms let spills and messes occur, inevitable occurrences when raising an aspiring athlete. The campaign visually highlights these messy instances and positions the “Bring It” mom as the unflappable figure in her child’s life who acts as the driving force behind their boldest dreams and achievements.

“We are so fortunate to be partnering with Shawn and her mom, Teri, the ultimate example of a ‘Bring It’ mom,” said Laura Dressman, external relations, Bounty paper towels. “Bounty is dedicated to recognizing the mothers behind each child’s glory as they are truly a driving force in every child’s life.”

Bounty’s “Bring It” mom campaign is a part of a greater Procter & Gamble (P&G) program and sponsorship of Team USA during the London 2012 Olympic Games, titled “Thank you, Mom.” “Thank You Mom” aims to raise $5 million to support worldwide youth programs and P&G and its brands are sponsoring more than 150 athletes worldwide during the Games, including Shawn and Teri Johnson to help achieve that goal. The Johnsons, who are helping Bounty find other “Bring It” moms, illustrate how a supportive family, and particularly a mom, can truly be a driving force behind the success of so many Olympic athletes. In alliance of the “Thank you, Mom” campaign, Shawn, other Olympians and P&G are taking the time to thank these important women in their lives, the moms behind the glory.

Moms across the country can learn more and enter the “Bring It” mom contest by visiting Facebook.com/Bounty. Visit Bounty’s Facebook Fan page at http://www.facebook.com/bounty ) to learn more about Bounty, entering the “Bring It” mom contest, P&G’s “Thank you, Mom” campaign (or directly at http://www.facebook.com/thankyoumom ), as well as to stay up-to-date on Johnson’ progress towards The London 2012 Olympic Games! {businesswire.com/}

Procter & Gamble Announces Sponsorship of 28 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Athletes and Hopefuls for London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games; Launches P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund

CINCINNATI–(BUSINESS WIRE)–P & G a Worldwide Olympic Partner, today announced its sponsorship of 28 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These athletes will represent 13 iconic P&G brands . . .  and others at the London 2012 Games. These world class athletes are part of the company’s global campaign that includes sponsorship of more than 150 athletes around the world.

“On behalf of the United States Olympic Committee, I’d like to thank P&G for supporting and promoting the incredible athletes of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team”

P&G also announced the launch of the P&G|Team USA Youth Sports Fund, with a goal of raising $500,000 through the London 2012 Games. The fund will help moms raise happy, healthy kids by providing broader access to youth sports as part of P&G’s ‘Thank you, Mom’ campaign. This is part of the company’s global effort to raise more than $5 million for youth sports.

“As both a mom and an athlete, I am proud to be affiliated with the P&G ‘Thank you, Mom’ campaign and the Pampers brand to celebrate moms of Team USA athletes and moms across the country,” said Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball gold medalist at the Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008 Olympic Games and Pampers brand athlete. “The support of Team USA and youth sports by P&G and its brands brings this commitment to life in an impactful way.”

The 28 U.S. Olympic and Paralympic athletes and hopefuls sponsored by P&G and its brands are among the best in their sports. Collectively, the group has won more than 375 international medals, including more than 60 Olympic and Paralympic medals. Among the athletes are 12 Olympic and Paralympic gold medalists, numerous world champions, and top-ranked men and women in 11 sports. {businesswire.com/}

The final destination in Shawn Johnson’s gymnastics journey is undetermined. Today was about revisiting the past.

Johnson, 20, took time out from her Olympic training at Chow’s Gymastics to return to another gym from her formative years, at Westridge Elementary in West Des Moines.

She showed she still has the gold-medal smile, flashing it for a gym full of screaming schoolchildren during an appearance on behalf of Bounty paper towels.

Johnson won three silvers and one gold medal at the 2008 Beijing Games, but faces an uphill trek to London for this summer’s Olympics. She took time away from gymnastics competition to win on the “Dancing With the Stars” TV show in 2009, then injured a knee while skiing the following year.

In addition, Olympic teams will consist of five, not six, gymnasts this year. The U.S. team won the 2011 World Championships without her.

“Training’s going good,” Johnson said. “It’s very difficult, but I’m getting through.”
Next up for Johnson is the U.S. Classic in Chicago on May 26, the final qualifying event for the national championships June 7-10 in St. Louis.

Then come the U.S. Olympic Trials in San Jose, Calif., at the end of June. The Olympics run July 27-Aug. 12.

Johnson excelled as an all-around gymnast in her first Olympic go-round. But there is a question of whether that role still suits her in light of the emergence of Jordyn Wieber, 16, who won all-around gold at the 2011 Worlds.

A decision about whether Johnson would compete in the all-around, or specialize in a single discipline, hasn’t been addressed.

“I’m feeling good, but I don’t know yet,” she said. “It’s just about what I’m ready for when the competition time comes and what (U.S. National team coordinator) Marta (Karolyi) and them decide.”

Regardless, it was clear how the children of Westridge Elementary feel about Johnson.

“I love seeing the excitement they have to do something different than just sit in the classroom and get to do an assembly and be a part of it,” she said. “And see my old teachers. A lot of them have retired, but there’s a few I got to see and say ‘Hi’ to.

“It’s weird. I remember being here and this place feeling so huge. I mean, I was like this big (putting her palm at her waist). But now it’s like. ‘Oh my gosh, it’s not as big as I thought.’ ”

Gymnastics > Senior Career (2008-2009)

Gymnastics > Junior Career (2004-2007)

Here’s a new video from Des Moines news KCCI on Shawn’s training detour To Dallas:

U.S. National team coordinate Martha Karolyi has also done an interview recently where she mentions Shawn’s chances for the team:

Q: Where could Shawn Johnson potentially most help the team?

Karolyi: “Well, it’s just a big question. She just has to become the old Shawn Johnson. And if she will do that, she could. She was an excellent beamer, she was excellent on tumbling, and those two events could be…and she has a bar routine with a decent start value, not sky high but could be like an opener or something if she does that consistently.” {Examiner.com}