THE ASSOCIATED PRESS • November 16, 2010

Shawn Johnson’s first trip to the Karolyi ranch since the Beijing Olympics has the gymnast’s nerves doing flip-flops.

Two-year layoffs are almost unheard of in elite gymnastics because it takes hundreds of hours of training to develop the necessary physical strength and precision. A complete reconstruction of her left knee in February makes Johnson’s challenge even greater.

But Johnson says she still has a passion for the sport and wants to compete at the London Olympics. Martha Karolyi has seen enough progress to invite the teenager to a national team training camp that starts later this week near Houston.

Johnson won the 2007 world title and four medals at the Beijing Games, including the gold on balance beam.