MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -
They call it the Olympic boom! Every four years local gymnastics coaches say the Olympics bring a rush of children anxious to sign up for classes. In fact, many coaches are already seeing the increase, long before the events are over.
From back flips to balance beam, uneven bars and in between, gymnastics takes center stage during the summer Olympics.
"It's just fun to watch how I could be up there one day," says 14-year old Mary Katherine Head.
It's her 12th year in the gym. Every time the Olympics roll around, she sees parents and children flip out.
"I think they want to put their kids into it and try to get them up to that level," says Head.
"The Olympics have only been on a few days and we've already had the enrollment start to climb," says Coach Michael Wheat at United Gymnastics and Cheer.
Wheat says the increase has a lot to do with the strength of the U.S. men's and women's teams.
"This year was one of the strongest teams we've had in a long time," says Wheat.
"I started competing when I was four or five," says Erin Grigsby.
Grigsby remembers the Beijing Olympics four years ago.
That's when she kicked her gymnastics into high gear.
"Just thinking about me doing really good things and trying really hard," says Grigsby.
Believe it or not, it doesn't take that long to progress. Coaches say kids can go from a simple skill like a round-off to a back flip in no time.
"They can learn quickly," says Wheat.
Don't be fooled, though. Being an Olympic champion isn't easy.
"Training and work and tears and sweat all go into this sport," adds Head.
But with encouragement from kids like Mary Katherine...
"If you just stick with it and just believe in yourself..."
Beginners could find themselves soaring before they know it.
Copyright 2012 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 WorldNow and WSFA, a Raycom Media Station.
