Charlie Tamayo can do a standing double back. He can do a double twisting double back and a laid-out Arabian double front. He can do a quintuple front -- five full somersaults -- into a foam pit from a trampoline.
What he can't do is compete for Team USA, despite having lived in the United States for the past seven years. But even as a competitor without a country, Tamayo, 29, has not given up on his Olympic dream.
Born in Havana, Cuba on Jan. 2, 1981, Charles Léon Tamayo began gymnastics after someone saw him playing in the street and suggested to his mother that he try out for a special school for Cuban athletes. He excelled quickly, winning the Cuban Junior National title at 13 and becoming Cuban champion at 21. He won the bronze medal on vault at the 2001 World Championships.
But as Tamayo achieved success in gymnastics, he grew increasingly frustrated with the Cuban system, which he said did not reward athletes for good performances.
At the 2002 Cottbus World Cup, Tamayo placed first on vault and fifth on still rings. He returned to Havana with the prize money he had won -- and the Cuban Federation took it all away.
"It was then I realized there was no future in my country," he said.
Tamayo traveled to Anaheim, Calif., for the 2003 World Championships as part of the Cuban team. He, along with teammates Michael Brito and Yenerky De La Pena, never went back.
After defecting, Tamayo did construction work before one of his hosts suggested he try gymnastics coaching. Since then, he has made a name for himself on Youtube as one of the sport's consummate tricksters, with footage mostly taken at gymnastics camps. He and his wife Nicole, who were married in 2008, coach at San Diego All Stars Gymnastics in San Diego, Calif.
Despite the long wait for citizenship that will legitimize him as U.S. Olympic hopeful, Tamayo is committed to returning to gymnastics stronger than he has ever been. Tamayo, who competed at the Winter Cup in Las Vegas earlier this month as a guest competitor, is determined to continue.
Next month he will relocate to Houston to train with U.S. champion Jonathan Horton and coach Tom Meadows at Cypress Gymnastics Academy. He should receive citizenship at the end of 2011, which would clear the way for a run at the 2012 Olympics.
Tamayo recently gave an interview to Examiner.com, talking frankly about his experiences training in Cuba, his hopes for the coming years and his new website, FlipforCharlie.com, which he hopes will help him attain sponsorship.
In a letter to fans on the homepage, he wrote: "I would like nothing more than to give back to a country that has already given me so much."
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Examiner.com: What is training in Cuba like?
C.T.: Training in Cuba is tough. A typical day in the national school is like this: Sixth grade and under, wake 6 a.m. to eat, train 7 a.m. to 12 noon, lunch, then school from 1 to 5 p.m. Seventh to 9th grade, wake 6 a.m., school 8 to 12, eat, train 3:30 to 8 p.m. Tenth grade and up, only two days of school. [On the] other days, 9:30 a.m. to 12 [was training], eat, [train] 3 to 8 p.m.
Training was hard -- long days and early mornings. It was very competitive. Although it was hard life I had the opportunity to train with many talented kids. I was officially part of the national team at 14 years old.
Examiner.com: Who was your mentor in Cuba?
C.T.: My mentor and coach was Felix Aguilara. Felix was like a father to me -- he completely changed my life. He taught me to appreciate things beyond the sport of gymnastics. He taught me responsibility, discipline, and loyalty. Felix helped develop my passion for my sport as well as for life. I spent more time with Felix than I did with my own family and I developed a special relationship with him that has yet to be duplicated.
Examiner.com: Which gymnasts do you look up to?
C.T.: I look up to Cazamiro Suarez, Felix Aguilara, Eric Lopez, Dmitry Bilozertchev.
Examiner.com: What made you decide to leave Cuba for good?
C.T.: I decided to defect because I wanted a better life for my family. That was the only way I knew how to do that. In Cuba you can work so hard, but there was no future, no hope. After a few years in this country and understanding the system, I could see how hard work can turn into success.
It was difficult, because I had to trade my family for the chance at a better future. I have not been able to return to Cuba and see my family, but I know if I work hard the sacrifice will pay off. I know I can not only build a better life for my family but also hopefully have the opportunity to represent a country that has done so much for me and I am proud of that.
I made the decision to defect in 2002 after the Cottbus World Cup in Germany. I won first place on vault and fifth in ring finals. I returned home with the money I had won -- and the Cuban Federation took all of it. It was then I realized there was no future in my country. I defected with my teammates Michael Brito and Yenerky De La Pena. We had prior plans to defect, certain things we thought we would do, but as the events unfolded -- nothing went as we had imagined. It was much more complicated then just saying "I'm leaving." There were a lot of legal issues we didn't count on.
The final decision to defect was the night after all-around finals in 2003 in Anaheim. I had a disturbing conversation with the head coach of our team. I came to the final realization that there was no future. They didn't appreciate my work, my sacrifice and what I had done for my country. I left my hotel room -- I had to leave everything I owned in the room. I defected with the clothes on my back. I went to [Brito's] uncle's house where I met other Cuban families.
I left my entire family in Cuba. I left my grandmother, my mother Inez, my father Armando, my brother Juan Carlos, his wife and two children I have never met, my brother Frank, his wife and newborn I have never met. I also have uncles, aunts and cousins. I can communicate with a few members of my family but it is extremely difficult. No one in my family owns a phone, so I must call a nearby neighbor and they must walk to get my mom to talk to me. They do not own computers so again I must try and communicate through a friend.
Calling Cuba is costly and it is not easy to get through to anyone there. All I have ever asked from my country was a phone for my mom. I cannot go to see my family because I am a defector and I am not allowed in the country. My family, like most Cubans, cannot leave the country. If I want to bring them here it is an extremely difficult and expensive process. Living without my family at times has proven to be one of the most emotional things I have had to deal with.
Examiner.com: How did you find employment after defecting?
C.T.: After defecting, I intitally found employment in construction through a Cuban family that helped me when I first defected. I received my first paycheck of $200, I thought that I was a millionaire. I had no idea how much money that was or what I could do with it. I just wanted to buy anything -- things I could never dream of. I would see something I thought I would never be able to have and I would want to buy it because I thought that it would be gone from the store the next day.
One of the members of my host family drove past a gymnastics center and thought it would be a perfect for me to try my hand at coaching. I got a job at Payke Gymnastics and have been coaching at various gyms and camps ever since. It is something I love.
Examiner.com: You can't compete for the chance to make an Olympic team without being a U.S. citizen. What problems have you had attaining citizenship?
C.T.: Citizenship has been one of my biggest obstacles. Four years ago I had papers at two different law offices and a really important paper completely missing. My wife and I worked for months to gather all of my paperwork -- a daunting task. We were lucky enough to meet a wonderful man and lawyer, Luke Brennan, who has done an excellent job organizing my paperwork, helping me obtain my greencard and putting me on the right track to achieve my citizenship. He has been an amazing friend and someone I could never have done all this without.
We had looked into obtaining expedited citizenship, but that has proven to be extremely difficult. Although expidited citizenship would help me a lot with my gymnastics and competitions, I was married in 2008 and I will be a citizen in late 2011. Currently, as long as I am not a citizen, I have limitations when it comes to competitions, camps and other national and international events.
Examiner.com: This month you competed on vault and floor as an international guest competitor at the 2010 Winter Cup in Las Vegas. Will you have any other opportunities to be a guest competitor at U.S. meets?
C.T.: I would love to be a gust competitor at any other competitions for the U.S., but I know that not being a citizen is an issue.
Charlie Tamayo, 2010 Winter Cup Prelims, Vault and Floor:
Examiner.com: What other obstacles have you faced?
C.T.: I face obstacles on a daily basis. My wife Nicole and I have worked for years to find a sponsor, but have yet to make that happen. The financial strain alone has been tremendous. I live and work with my wife in San Diego, but there are no coaches available here so I travel to train.
I have currently been traveling to Sacramento to train, but I will be starting to travel to train with Jonathon Horton and Tom Meadows an Houston, Texas. I will have an apartment and bills in Texas, as well as an apartment and bills and my wife back in San Diego. The traveling, training, meet expenses -- this has been a challenge for my wife and I financially. I work as much as I can both in San Diego and wherever I am training.
Although this has been a difficult road I have been so grateful to the people who have assisted me in my journey thusfar. Luke Brennan, my amazing lawyer and friend, Salim Shaikh, my strength and conditioning coach, a brilliant man who has gone to great lengths to study the sport of gymnastics at a scientific level so he was able to transform an athlete who was out of the sport for five years to someone who will be stronger than he has ever been, Dr. Glen for letting me use his office for my rehabilitation, Walter Jamarillo and Ron Howard for using their own time to help me to train, Byers Gymnastics, my students for their dedication and hard work which has motivated me to get this far, my wife's family for their support and love, my wife for believing in me from day one.
My sister-in-law, Michelle Watson, has created a website where you can read about my story, what I am hoping to accomplish and why, and you can have the opportunity to contribute if you would like. Please visit FlipforCharlie.com.
Examiner.com: Why have you chosen to go to Texas to train?
C.T.: I decided to relocate to Texas after becoming friends and working with Jonathon Horton. He is an amazing person and athlete and we have created a great friendship and respect for one another. I could not pass up on the opportunity to train with one of the best coaches and athletes in the country.
Examiner.com: Is your move to Texas to train going to be permanent?
C.T.: I will be training with Jonathon Horton full time -- it is a permanent move until 2012. I will be traveling back to San Diego once a month for at least a week to see my wife and work with my athletes. San Diego is where my life is but Texas is where I train.
Examiner.com: How much English do you speak?
C.T.: I speak English very well now. I have had no choice but to immerse myself into the culture. Both my girls gymnastics team and my wife speak only English!
Examiner.com: What skills are you currently training?
C.T.: Currently I am working hard on my conditioning following my last five years out of the sport. On floor I am working layout double double, Tamayo, 1.5 to double front, whip into tuck Thomas. On pommels, I'm working a clean consistent routine with a start value at 15.8-16.0. Vault I am working Tsuk triple fulls, handspring layout randis (2.5 twist), handspring triple fulls. On p-bars: peach handstand, peach 1/2, double front pike in between bars, front 1.75. On high bar: full-twisting layout Jaeger, Revalco, layout Tkachev, layout Yamawaki and triple back dismount.
Charlie Tamayo in the gym:
Examiner.com: Are you dealing with any injuries right now?
C.T.: I am currently dealing with a minor shoulder injury. I am working with my strength and conditioning coach Salim Shaikh to rehabilitate my shoulder as well as become the strongest I have ever been.
Follow Gymnastics Examiner Blythe Lawrence on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GymExaminer or click the "Subscribe" button above to receive the latest gymnastics news and results via e-mail.
Comments
Shouldn't he get his citizenship FIRST before essentially stealing money from people donating to an uncertain cause? Most people do not take this long to obtain citizenship so I wouldn't hold my breath that this will actually happen. Also, if USAG wanted him badly enough THEY would have expedited this years ago.
great article
Anne-I think you need to do your homework before making a comment like this. Unfortunately, you are incredibly misinformed about the United States law. You must be married for three years or living here for 5 years after you receive card Charlie was married in 2008. As far as USAG expediting it-clearly you have no idea how the federation works. I have know Charlie and his wife for years and they are some of the finest people I have ever met. Charlie is one of the best coaches I have ever come in contact with and he deserves this more than anyone I know. It seems to me you may be jealous-what you said is rude and no one should spend one second wasting their time on your comments. Focus on your own life and stop wasting everyones time
Great Article! Any athlete of this caliber deserves at least a chance at making it to the top. His story is one of inspiration. It's easy to see how he has thousands of fans pulling for him. Go Charlie!
Kevin, actually a government can expedite citizenship for an athlete to compete. President Bush expedited Tanith Belbin's US citizenship so she should compete in Torino in 2006.
Kevin
I have done plenty of homework. I realise I don't know everything about how things work and I also know that every situation is different. Obviously I have a much different relationship with Charlie and Nicole than you do. You are entitled to your opinion and I am to mine.
Charlie is not needed on the mens team. He couldn't even make finals at the Winter Cup. And most of his amazing skills are done off of tumble strips and into foam pits. Many other top gymnasts can do similar skills like that but never come close to competing it.
Also, he also claims he doesn't have the funding to train full-time, although Jovtchev was winning world titles and placing in the top 10 in the all-around while training on his lunch breaks.
Anne, to say that Charlie "isn't needed on team USA team" is very short-sighted. Situations in all sports arise (and life in general) that one can never predict. Whose to say that top athletes now won't be injured or that Charlie will add skills or leadership that team USA will need and could thus turn to him. Moreover, in regards to your comment about "stealing money from people" b/c Charlie should have gotten his citizenship first is simply ignorant (and I had never heard of Charlie until reading this article). The United States has a special policy with Cuba informally called the 'wet-foot/dry foot'. Meaning that regardless of whether he married a US citizen or not, as long as he, as a Cuban national, makes it to U.S. soil (and is not found at sea) he will be given the resources to eventually become a US Citizen, albeit through a lamentably slow bureaucratic system. Look it up, its all politics and historical fact.
The USAG moved heaven and earth to make sure Annia Hatch could compete for the US almost instantaneously. We're not talking competing at the Olympics, which Annia would have been able to do for 2004, but competing immediately at a World Championships. Joe Lieberman and Jimmy Carter even got dragged into this, which goes to show you that if the USAG was so desperate for Tamayo, they would be offering a lot more than a lawyer and a congressional contact.
Unfortunately (or fortunately) we don't know all the background regarding Tamayo and USAG, but whose to say that eventually he won't be needed, wanted, etc. Look at Kayla Williams, her tapes were ignored by Marta Karolyi for the longest until they realized a few months before Worlds that she could probably win vault with such a weak vaulting field. Life has a funny way of working out sometimes for the better & sometimes for the worse.
This is Nicole and Charlie
We dont know an anne-who are you?
Perhaps Anne could explain her relationship to Nicole & Charlie & how she knows the intricate details of Charlie's citizenship hurdles and recent training? I think it would explain the validity of the statements,especially since she admits she does not know how things work.In fact, Charlie did make the finals in the Winter Cup but was unable to compete. If he were already able to do all his skills perfectly today, then Anne would be right-why would he need our support?But, like thousands of other elite athletes (who, by the way, don't train on their lunch breaks)Charlie wants & needs to train so that he can reach his full potential. And he has many former Olympians agreeing his potential is huge.Everyone is entitled to their opinion,but not entitled to make up facts.If you don't support him,then it's simple, don't give.He's finding a way to reach for his goals with the resources he has and has been given.Let's at least not pass judgment without the facts and give Charlie some respect.
Anne
Charlie only competed 2 evetns in the winter cup-he had a fall on one and still made it to finals but was unable to compete due to citizenship issues. He scored ahead of guys doing all 6 events. Where are you getting your facts-as Kevin stated earlier-do your homework before making a fool of yourself....you would be very suprised to know how supported he is at this point by not only the federation, other top coaches but all of his loyal fans who love him and know what an incredible talent the US will opefully be lucky to have.
We've known Charlie for a long time, and besides being an amazing athlete and an amazing coach, he's a man of great integrity. I know he'll do well on any path he takes. Good luck on your trip to the Olympics, Charlie. A lot of people are cheering for you.
I have had the pleasure of calling Charlie and his wife Nicole my good friends for many years; and what I know about Charlie is he is an amazing person, coach and an OUTSTANDING athlete. His dedication and drive is something that people all over the world can look up to and what better stage to tell his story (through his performance) than London 2012. I will do my part in supporting Charlie. We all have dreams and at times we need the help of others to make our dreams come true. As for "Stealing money from people donating to an uncertain cause" NO ONE is forcing anyone to donate. I know the cause I am giving my funds to and if people read the article or do their research on Charlie they would understand and be able to make an informed decision regarding "the cause". GO CHARLIE!!! I can’t wait to see you reach your dreams. You will be an amazing asset to the U.S. Men’s team!!
This isn't about USAG wanting Charlie or the US mens team needing him. This is about an amazing individual persuing his dream of making the US Olympic team. To discredit anybody's dream by questioning his/her integrity is sickening.
Charlie and Nicole are amazing people. They have my support.
Tyronne, I completely agree. I don't know Tamayo and frankly never follow mens gymnastics. A dream is a dream and to take that away or attempt to diminish it is contrary to the spirit of competitive athletics. Good luck to Charlie and so many out there trying to make their dreams come true.
Well said, Tyrone. It couldn't have been said any better.
What bothers me is the statement on his site that most of the guys he is competing against focus only on training because the USAG pays for everything. That cannot be further from the truth. These guys have part-time or full-time coaching jobs and do all sorts of odd jobs to make ends meet. Justin Spring and Kevin Tan were coaching two of the top men's NCAA programs when they were training for Beijing. John Orozco goes to school, trains, and does birthday parties on his day off. To make sure they can keep their scholarships, the NCAA guys have to go to class and maintain a respectable grade point average. Most gymnasts would clean the toilets in the gym if it meant a few extra dollars a month.
Oh and making the national team requires more than youtube videos. You have to actually prove yourself. And 61st and 9th on your bread and butter events is not what excites the selection committee. I'm sure he has talent, but until he can prove himself, he better get that mop ready.
"do your homework before making a fool of yourself"
Okay. Charlie Tamayo did not make the finals at Winter Cup.
He missed the cutoff by one point. He got the same number of points as Kyle Shanahan of Nebraska - whom no one is touting as any kind of Olympic prospect.
Those of us that recognize talent know you have it....Go Charlie!
my kids take gymnastics in San Diego-I am aware of Charlies situation. Charlie works full time in San Diego as well as when he trains. IN Sacramento he trained at one gym and traveled to a nearby gyn to work each day. The money Charlie is trying to raise is not so he can stop working-he has arranged work in Texas and continues to work in San Diego and plans to keep it that way regardless of funds raised. Its amazing to me that some of you seem to know so much about Charlie Tamayo-yet he has no idea who you are.
Thank you Jon for clarifying Charlie's situation. Mervin,you have made assumptions that Charlie is not working his you know what off or will stop working while training. This couldnt be further from the truth and it is very disrespectful for you to assume so without knowing what Charlie does everyday. Also,no where on the site does it say that USAG "pays for everything". It merely says they, in certain areas,have more access and support and if you don't think this is true, then you are possibly not in a position where you would know the intricacies of the system. Charlie has had years of success in international competition- not just youtube popularity and if you educated yourself you would know that. To pick out the placements of his one of his first meets back,not understanding the situation, and declaring that that somehow defines his potential, is ignorant. And yes,Jigukodayo,he DID make finals-was the first alternate and was called into the finals but replaced-- explained by Lisa
GO CHARLIE!!! We are behind you 100%. Don't let anyone discourage you from achieving your dreams. You've overcome so much already that Im sure the Mervin's and Anne's out there can't bring you down in the slightest. GOOD LUCK!!
I yes want to thank all you for support me
charlie tamayo
thank you very, very much
If he's going to do pommel horse, parallel bars, and high bar, then why didn't he bother to situate himself in a men's program when he was coaching in Colorado? There was not a single gym in that city with men's equipment, yet he and his wife chose to locate there. I'm sorry, but there are far too many sketchy spots in everything said on his behalf for him to be worthy of the charity he pretty much seems entitled to at this point. Also, I think that if he's going to ask for more charity he should do a better job as expressing gratitude for what was provided to him in Colorado. How's the free car driving these days?
Do you all think I am stupid enough to use my real name? Cause I am not. Trust me, I know Charlie and Nicole quite well and they know me.
hello anne i know who you really are
i think charlie tamayo and nicole are better coach, person then u u are nothing more the looser and sad person. now you Phidelle you another looser to charlie tamayo dont need to go back in time hi is moving foward in colorado a lot of people have to thank charlie and nicole for stop up because there are people there thinking the they earn the city so be it looser ,charlie tamayo will make history in your face and that hurt you .
all what i need to know about charlie is hi will change are sport
charlie don't need you help
went you need his help hi help you you distroy you on self looser
the car that they worked for3 years ago broke and is still in Colorado. Phidelle-do you have a life? Is this the best thing you could be doing with your time? IF so -how sad. If this is what you spend your time doing I must say-your wife is one lucky lady. Scores in the 7's arent that great-maybe you should get back in the gym with your athletes.
Anne, just what are you trying to accomplish by bad mouthing Charlie and Nicole? You're being rediculous. You say "trust me" but refuse to use your real name, eliminating your credibility. What do you have to hide? Would you feel guilty if everbody reading these comments knew who was bad mouthing good people for no reason? But because you're posting behind this fake name you have a feeling of anonymity thus absolving you of all repurcussions? Essentially it comes down to listening to our parents, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all."
The negative comments about Charlie are ridiculous. Anyone who has met Charlie and Nicole know what wonderful and hard working people they are.
Why anyone would want to say negative and untrue things about Charlie is just immature. Is there nothing better to do than put down a hard-working athlete?
Sounds to me like someone is jealous and should find something productive to do.
If you really are a fan of gymnastics then you would be supportive of an athlete trying to reach his dream.
I don't see how anyone could actually feel good about insulting someone working to reach a goal as huge as the Olympic team when it is so obvious the sacrifices that have to be made to train for years and years.
I support your Charlie and Nicole!! I can't wait to be chreering you on in 2012!!!
We're pulling for you Charlie. You and Nicole were great with our daughter and we are fortunate to count you as friends. With any luck we can have the citizenship petition filed in Oct 2011 and a decision soon thereafter.
Joe, why exactly do you say they "worked" for their car? As opposed to having specifically bought the thing like most of us do? That's right--because it was donated. Just like their computer and home furnishings were donated. They've had plenty of charity and generosity thrown their way and walked all over the very people who helped them out so much. And now they cry out for more. Don't give them a dime.
Anne, if you used your real name you would not be stupid, you would be more respectable. You discredit anything you say but not revealing your identity and claiming to know intricate details of their current lives. What's funny is that at the same time that Phidelle is saying 'dont give a dime' he/she just banked Charlie a donation- b/c for every click and comment this article gets - money is being donated to the Flip for Charlie cause. So bash away, and thank you for your support!
Phidelle
Nicole and Charlie worked with my daughter in Colorado-they were amazing. I never felt they walked on anyone-I feel your ego was bruised because they would not ruin their career working for a man(?) like you. This article is amazing and the website is great and myself as well as everyone I know has donated and happy to do so. Charlie-you have support everywhere in this country-one man who starts an email war is nothing to you, me or anyone who truly knows you. See you in 2012.
Luke,
If CandN were so great with your daughter why did she quit? I see they did really amazing things for her gymnastics career.
Charlie and Nicole are amazing. I am spreading the word to help you guys make both of your dreams happen!
wow anon, you've resorted to attacking somebody's child? no mincing of words necessary for that one, you're a terrible person. thanks for validating the ludicrousness of the charlie detractors.
So, Charlie, Nicole, whatever happened to all of the gymnasts who went with you to your makeshift gym you started after you broke your contracts with the previous gym where you worked? How long did they stick with gymnastics after their time spent with you two?
For all of you that insist of writing comments that belittle Nicole and Charlie GROW UP and GET A LIFE. Why don't you try setting a goal in your life so you can do something more productive than bashing an amazing couple. Charlie will go far with the support of people that matter and on the behalf of Charlies fan thanks to all you haters who continue to donate money by running your mouth on the comment page. Haters - its time to take a look in the mirror and stop blaming Charlie and Nicole for your short comings and inadequacies.
For all of you that insist of writing comments that belittle Nicole and Charlie GROW UP and GET A LIFE. Why don't you try setting a goal in your life so you can do something more productive than bashing an amazing couple. Charlie will go far with the support of people that matter and on the behalf of Charlies fan thanks to all you haters who continue to donate money by running your mouth on the comment page. Haters - its time to take a look in the mirror and stop blaming Charlie and Nicole for your short comings and inadequacies.
For all of you who have been donating on the flipfor charlie website-thank you-the support has been amazing. And for Anne, and Mervin, and Phidelle-say what you want-we know who we are. And by the way-the riduclous controversy you have stirred up-well its done incredible things for our donations. This has really showed us how much support Charlie Tamayo really has-both through internet and other avenues as well. We are so grateful for an amazing article, website, and support from our friends, family, and and those we have never met. Thanks Anne for bringing this to light. I just want you to know its been worth all the time you have sat in front of the computer wasting time on someone who is no longer in your pathetic life-you have just made ours better.
Charlie, after you fail in your endeavor to make the national team/Olympic team/whatever, there's a woman at WWGym.com that I'm sure you and Nicole would love to meet. You can all get together and gripe about how USAG has done you wrong by not throwing buckets of money at you, and then you can all post about it together for everyone's amusement.
I don't know who Anon is. Really I don't care. Leave my daughter alone. If you must know, Charlie is the only reason my daughter even attempted to stay in gymnastics after her last season of competition. All of the joy and fun of it had been ruined for during that final season after being belittled and then ignored by another coach who I'm assuming felt threatened for whatever reason.
If you are going to talk about my daughter I wish you'd have the courage to identify yourself.
For the record, that last comment attributed to Anon should be mine. I mistyped the name, I meant to address it to Anon.
The negative comments about Charlie are ridiculous. Anyone who has met Charlie and Nicole know what wonderful and hard working people they are.
Why anyone would want to say negative and untrue things about Charlie is just immature. Is there nothing better to do than put down a hard-working athlete?
Sounds to me like someone is jealous and should find something productive to do.
If you really are a fan of gymnastics then you would be supportive of an athlete trying to reach his dream.
I don't see how anyone could actually feel good about insulting someone working to reach a goal as huge as the Olympic team when it is so obvious the sacrifices that have to be made to train for years and years.
I support your Charlie and Nicole!! I can't wait to be chreering you on in 2012!!!
For the record-its has NOT been stated that we are upset with USAG-in fact they have been nothing but helpful-especially this last year. We have appreciated their guidance and their support and encouragement. We are very excited about this journey and the future and USAG is one of the many many reasons to thank.
It is painfully obvious that there is one individual here (using multiple names) who harbors some bitter feelings and needs to throw out insults to validate himself. When the insults reach beyond Nicole and Charlie to people's children, it's very clear this person's issues are internal and he/she is projecting. Whatever insinuations this individual is making, any reasonable person would not take them as valid, knowing there are two sides to every story - especially when the negative comments are so poorly articulated.
Besides, the story here is about a person reaching for his dreams. Nothing can stop a person from pursuing their passion who has already faced so many roadblocks. It looks like with all the comments, good and bad,(each banking $ for the cause) Flip for Charlie is off to a fantastic start. Way to go Charlie! Looks like you have one against you and thousands behind you- I'd take that as success already.
Lucca, you put it so well....I ditto that.
Lucca-you couldnt have said it any better-thanks for saying what we are all thinking
And how many names are Charlie and Nicole posting under here? I doubt it's only Charlie naysayers who've typed multiple names into the little box there.
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