2011 World champion Jordyn Wieber is a finalist for the prestigious James E. Sullivan Award, given each year to the U.S.'s top amateur athlete.
Granted, Wieber is no longer an amateur, having decided to turn professional following her success at the Tokyo Worlds. However, since she was an amateur while she accomplished all of her 2011 accolades, it seems that is what the nominating committee took into account. Voting is not yet open to the public, but votes will count for one third of the final decision.
Other 2011 Sullivan nominees are:
- Betsey Armstrong (soccer)
- David Boudia (diving)
- Jillian Camarena-Williams (track and field)
- Kaliya Johnson (hockey)
- Alex Jupiter (volleyball)
- Jason Read (rowing)
- Katherine Reutter (speedskating)
- Andrew Rodriguez (football)
Former gymnastics winners include Shawn Johnson (2008), Paul Hamm (2004) and Kurt Thomas (1979). The list of former gymnastuics nominees is far longer, and reads like a who's-who of American greats, including Nastia Liukin (2008), Shannon Miller (every year between 1992 and 1996), Dominique Dawes (1994), Dominique Moceanu (1995), Kim Zmeskal (1991 and 1992), Mary Lou Retton and Bart Conner (both 1984).
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