2012 London Olympians Visit Roswell

Roswell Mayor Jere Wood and city officials ushered in 2012 Olympians Jonathan Horton and McKayla Maroney to an excited crowd of two hundred fifty gymnasts and parents at Roswell Gym on Tuesday afternoon, Oct. 23. 

The Olympians are in Atlanta for the Kellogg’s Tour of Champions. Roswell Gymnastics was selected for a personal visit from High Bar champion, Jonathan Horton, and Vault champion, McKayla Maroney. Roswell Gymnastics is the largest competitive gymnastics program in Georgia. Ten Roswell gymnasts will be in the Kellogg’s Tour of Champions pre-show, and one Roswell Gymnastics Future Star Gymnast, Justin Ah Chow, was selected to be in the show on Oct. 27 in the Gwinnett Arena.

“USA Olympians are inspirational for our Team gymnasts,” said Ben Wood, director of Roswell Men’s Gymnastics Team. “Jonathan Horton and McKayla Maroney are the ‘rock stars’ of the gymnastics world and their visit to our gym encourages our Roswell gymnasts to strive for the top of our sport.”

The Olympians shared stories about their start in gymnastics, training for the Olympics and aspirations for the future. McKayla Maroney, 16, wearing a leg brace to stabilize her fractured tibia, told the Roswell gymnasts about training six hours daily, and the excitement of the London Olympics. Jonathan Horton, 26, two-time Olympian fielded questions about the beginning of his gymnastics career. The Roswell gymnasts met the Olympians individually and received an autographed item.

The renowned Roswell Recreation and Parks Gymnastics Center is housed in the Physical Activity Center (PAC) within the Roswell Area Park. The Roswell Area Park was voted number one in the state of Georgia by the Georgia Parks and Recreation Department for eight years in a row.