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Shannon Miller
- Two-time Olympian (1992, 1996)
- 1996 Olympic gold medalist on the balance beam and in team competition
- 1992 Olympic silver medalist in the all-around and balance beam, bronze medalist in the uneven bars, floor exercise and team competition becoming the most decorated American athlete at the Olympic Games
- Five-time World champion, three-time World Championship silver medalist and a bronze medalist (1991, 1993-1995)
- Only American to win consecutive World titles (1993, 1994), which was in the all-around
- Led the U.S. women’s gymnastics team known as the “Magnificent Seven” to a first Olympic team championship in 1996
- Won over 59 international medal of which more than half are gold and 49 national medals of which more than half are gold
- Is the most decorated gymnast, male or female, in U.S. history winning more Olympic and World Championship medals than any other U.S. gymnast
- 1995 Pan American Games champion in the team competition, all-around, uneven bars, floor exercise; silver medalist in vault
- Won six U.S. National titles, one title in each exercise and two all-around titles, and 10 additional medals, at least one medal in each exercise (1991, 1993-1996)
- Started gymnastics in 1982 after doing jumps on the family’s trampoline in the backyard
- Inducted into the U.S. Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2003
- Nominated three times for the Sullivan Award (1993-1995), won the Dial Award (1994), named the 1993, 1994 Athlete of the Year, received the Master of Sport Award at age 16; won the Jim Thorpe Award (1992, 1994), Henry P. Iba Citizen Athlete Award (1994)
- Studies law at the Boston College School of Law as a second year law student (2005), commentated for NBC during the 2000, 2004 Olympics and continues to do so for NCAA events and national and international competitions
- Contributes time to many charities including Special Olympics, Children’s Miracle Network, Muscular Dystrophy, March of Dimes, Drug Free Youth, Make-A-Wish Foundation and was named the official spokesperson for the St. Jude’s “Heros” program
- Wrote “Winning Every Day: Gold Medal Advice for a Happy, Healthy Life!” where she shares advice on getting motivated, staying healthy, handling stress, and some of her favorite recipes
- Enjoys watching TV, hockey games and movies, swimming … favorite food is Chinese … color is hunter green
Growth spurts can seriously hamper an athlete’s performance. In 1993, Miller grew an inch and went from 69 to 79 pounds before the 1993 World Championships. Her apparent growth did not affect her performance negatively; she won gold in the all-around, floor exercise and the uneven bars. “I think my growth spurt has helped me,” Miller said. “Now I can reach the bar better on a jam and I have more power.”
Related Links
Official Web site: Shannon Miller
On competition: “It’s not really about beating other competitiors … it’s about beating yourself,” Miller said in Gymnastics – The Art of Sport by Eileen Langsley.
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Height: 5’ 1”
Born: 3/10/1977
Hometown: Rolla, Mo.
Resides: Edmond, Okla.
Sport: Gymnastics
Event: Balance Beam, Uneven Bars
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