Olympic Gymnast Comes Out Of 9-Year Retirement To Compete In U.S. Classic After Having Kids And Nearing Her 33rd Birthday

May 27, 2021 by apost team

American artistic gymnast Chellsie Memmel is inspiring fans by returning to the sport after a 9-year retirement. During Memmel’s break from gymnastics, she became a mother of two children and is now almost 33 years old. This is remarkable because she is currently competing with athletes who were born as recently as 2005.

Memmel was the all-around world champion in the 2005 World Championship in Melbourne, Australia. She retired from gymnastics in 2012 after marrying Kory Maier. She then came back for the U.S. Classic that was held in Indianapolis on May 22, 2021. Memmel competed in two events, the vault and the balance beam. She performed well in both events and earned an overall score of 11.800. 

While on the vault, Memmel completed a full-twisting Yurchenko, which is a move that has been gaining attention after fellow gymnast Simone Biles completed a perfect Yurchenko double-pike earlier in May. Memmel’s performance on the balance beam was a little rockier as she slipped off during an Arabian somersault. However, she got right back on and finished her routine strong. At the end of her routine, Memmel flipped off the balance beam and stunned audiences with a fantastic landing.

Watching Memmel flip and twirl on the balance beam was breathtaking and really shows that she still has what it takes to be a competitor in the world of gymnastics. Memmel has already been approved to compete in the national championship later this year. However, she did not qualify for the Tokyo Olympics. Memmel’s journey has been an inspiration to her fans as well as other gymnasts.

Memmel is from West Allis, Wisconsin, and has been competing in gymnastics since she was 8 years old. Both of her parents are also gymnastics coaches and encouraged their daughter to participate in the sport. After getting gold at the 2005 world championships, Memmel then went on to earn a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. 

The hard work Memmel has been putting in since retiring has clearly paid off, as she has accomplished something no one else in gymnastics has by returning to the sport after so long. Memmel told USA Today, "It's showing you can work hard and go for something and it doesn't matter when you do it or if someone says you're too old to be doing that or why? Why would you even go back and try. Why not? Why can't we see what our bodies are still capable of doing?"

At times, the road back from retirement was challenging, but Memmel persevered and still enjoyed the process. "I do sometimes ask, 'What have I gotten myself into?' But I'm still enjoying it, I'm still having fun. Sometimes I feel like a broken record, but that's what it's been about. It's never been about trying to prove anything,” Memmel told the news outlet.

Memmel also had some general advice for her fans — even for those not involved in gymnastics. "The biggest thing for me is don't be afraid to go after something, to set a goal. Even setting a crazy goal and trying to make it happen," advised Memmel. Having goals, even if they seem unrealistic, will help you achieve whatever you put your mind to.

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After her performance at the U.S. Classic post-retirement, Memmel told The Wall Street Journal, "I was just overwhelmingly happy that it went okay today. Obviously, beam I would have liked to have gone better, but I'm still happy with everything that I did and happy that I was out on the floor, that I put myself out there, to even get to this point, to try this again, to put on a leo and to register for a competition. So I'm not going to hold my joy back." 

Memmel wasn’t the only one with positive remarks about her return. Her friend and fellow gymnast, Nastia Liukin, posted this on her Twitter account: "So incredibly proud of you Chel. You are inspiring the entire world - every generation - showing that age is truly just a number and your true love and passion for the sport."

A few days prior to the U.S. Classic in Indianapolis, Memmel shared a video of her practicing in the gym on her Twitter page. Her post read, “Few highlights from today....few solid turns without the beam pad today. Not the best pak but it made me laugh and a last part to solid landing! Really starting to feel the nerves but also excitement. Travel day tomorrow.” 

Despite the nerves, Memmel provided an incredible performance, and she should be very proud of all that she has accomplished. Hopefully, her story will go on to inspire more gymnasts to return to the sport or at least not be afraid to try. Memmel is an incredibly talented athlete with an even better attitude.  

What did you think of Memmel’s routine? Are you impressed by her return to gymnastics after being retired for almost a decade? Let us know your thoughts, and be sure to pass this on to your loved ones.