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Olympian Dominique Moceanu encourages young girls
CAITLIN COOK
Legal News Reporter
Published: July 18, 2011
Olympian Gold Medal Winner, Dominique Moceanu, met with young eager campers in Solon, Ohio at the end of June. According to FitGirl Camp founder, Leah Dustin, the camp has been described as the “Oprah” of summer camps accommodating girls 6 to 13.
“Our curriculum has a physical and cognitive understanding so girls understand and value health for a lifetime in addition to the fitness emphasis, we also address social/mental and emotional health in role plays and crafting vision board,” Dustin said.
Moceanu presented an hour-long speech and slideshow to campers on her mental and physical journey to the Olympics starting at a young age. In 1995, at age 13, Moceanu became the youngest gymnast ever to win the senior all-around title at the U.S. Nationals. At the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, she would win a gold medal as a member of the U.S. Women’s team.
Moceanu talked with campers about her discouragement when just five weeks before the Atlanta Olympics, she suffered a leg injury that almost sidelined her dreams.
“I wanted these young women to recognize that obstacles are placed in our lives to test our commitment to our dreams,” Moceanu said.
“She encouraged the girls to never give up on their dreams and even if the road gets bumpy to push through,” Dustin said.
Dustin hopes campers realize after Moceanu’s visit that, “no matter your upbringing, or situation, if you work hard and persevere, you really can reach your goals. You have to give up a lot to stay on the path of your dreams and how difficult that sometimes can be.”
Moceanu is one of eight in the 2011 Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame Class; including Dick Brubaker, Dick Crum, Bob Golic, Mike Hegan, Jerry Holtrey, Barb Mucha and Tony Rini.
“Cleveland is a sports town, so without a doubt I’m honored to be considered among a group of athletes and coaches that have made such an impact,” Moceanu said. “I choose to live in Cleveland and raise my family here, so as a proud Clevelander this is something I can show my kids. Being inducted into the Greater Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame is a badge I’m going to wear very proudly.”