After a less than stellar podium training, the U.S. men seem optimistic heading into competition. After the announcement of Sam Mikulak’s injury, USA Gymnastics has finally announced that Chris Brooks would take his place on the stage after initially being named as alternate.

Brooks expounded the emotional roller coaster that comes along with the alternate position. He said you must train as though you are competing, knowing all the while that you may not ever see competition.

Brooks says he found out about Mikulak’s injury via email. Mikulak was looking incredible prior to the injury, but Brooks agrees that it’s more important for him to miss this when the ultimate goal is the Olympic Games. On their performance without Mikulak and on his own individual triumphs and mistakes he remained cool, calm, and collected, all the while assuring the media in the mixed zone that both he and the team will continue to work out the kinks.

For him, his “old man ankles,” as he lovingly referred to them, don’t like hard landings anymore. He also notes that this experience is “sweeter now, especially after not being able to compete at nationals for a few years and being off the national team.”

When asked how deep the U.S. is as a team, Danell Leyva said “no matter who you put out to compete, they will do their jobs. That’s what we’re all about.” Though he did recognize that podium training was not really up to standard today, adding that it was “a bit of a reality check.” He came in saying “I got this, it’s easy” but says the experience of a rough outing makes him remember he has to focus.

Donnell Whittenburg brushed off the messy podium training as a necessary ugly. “That’s why we have podium training…to feel out the equipment and make adjustments.”

I also spoke briefly to Alex Naddour, who talked about the letdown of not getting to compete in London. “My body was so tired, but I’m more excited now. Life goes on, and life is good now. I have a better mindset. I learned to block things out. I only focus on gym when I’m at the gym.”

Naddour and his wife, 2003 World bars champion Hollie Vise, recently announced they were expecting, so of course some questions gravitated in that direction.

When asked if he wanted his daughter involved in the sport that has brought so much pain and frustration to both himself and Vise, who missed out on the 2004 Olympic Games despite her excellent performances a year earlier, he simply said “it’s her decision” though later added that his dad owns a gym, so it’ll probably happen.

“If she gets Hollie’s flexibility and my strength, she will be amazing.”

Article by Kensley Behel