Quick Chat: Samantha Peszek

Samantha Peszek Photo © Al Bello / Getty Images

If anyone deserves an Olympic re-do, it's Samantha Peszek. The 16-year-old easily made the American team with solid performances throughout 2008, then injured her ankle moments before preliminary competition at the Games. She gutted through a bar set that day, but sat out her best events (vault and floor), and was too injured to compete in team finals a few days later.

Since she's returned to the States, Peszek had been busy with appearances and other fun stuff as part of the US team, but her gymnastics life has seen some transition: her longtime coach Peter Zhao has retired from gymnastics coaching, and is heading back to China to help with his family business. Peszek is planning to stay at her gymnastics club DeVeau's and work with a new elite coach, currently being hired. (Updated 11/22/08: Peszek has now switched to Sharp's Gymnastics and is training with Olympic teammate Bridget Sloan.)

I caught up with Peszek to find out how her ankle's doing, and to see what her future gymnastics plans are.

What was the official diagnosis for your ankle? How's it feeling now?
I ended up having a pretty bad sprain and a few torn ligaments. I am trying to heal it, and it has been feeling really good lately.

Are you back to gymnastics training?
I am going into the gym still, but I am trying to focus more on core conditioning and flexibility. This is in addition to the healing process, so I can come back stronger.

Are you planning to continue with elite gymnastics?
I am currently still in the elite program and I am going back to the ranch in November for national team camp. I plan to train elite in 2009, and would love to go to the 2009 Worlds.

Are you thinking ahead to NCAA gymnastics in a few years? What schools are your looking at?
Of course! I definitely want to compete at the NCAA level and I can't wait to choose my school. Right now, I am just starting to receive emails from schools and looking into everything, so I am keeping all of my options open.

Has your life changed at all since Beijing?
Yes and no. I have been traveling a lot more and doing appearances, interviews, tour stops and shows. It has been so much fun and very different from what I am used to. A few of the things I’ve done include being on the Oprah Show, being introduced at a Fever and at a Colts game, being in the Frosted Pink with a Twist show, and attending a Governor’s reception.

Samantha Peszek with Coach Peter Zhao Photo © Luan Peszek

I’m looking forward to going to the White House next week to meet the President, being in a skating and gymnastics TV show in December, and attending some competitions and receptions.

On the other hand, I am still attending my regular Catholic high school so things are sort of the same. I love going to school and the social aspect of high school, so I'm happy I get to have the best of both worlds.

It must be hard to see Peter retire. Can you talk a little about him as a coach?
I’m very sad that Peter is leaving DeVeau’s and not coaching gymnastics any longer. I’ve been with Peter since I was 8 years old and he’s been a great coach. He set goals for me and helped me to achieve them. Peter was always nice to everyone and treated everyone with respect. I know many people in the gymnastics community will miss him as much as I will. I’ve learned a lot from him. He will always will be a part of my family.