Dominique Moceanu 905618 224143021 2008-07-07T14:45:41Z 202.33.24.135 {{see also|Magnificent Seven (gymnastics)}} {{Infobox Gymnast |gymnastname= Dominique Moceanu |image= |imagesize= |caption= |fullname= Dominique Helena Moceanu |nickname= |country= {{USA}} |formercountry= |birthdate= {{birth date and age|1981|09|30}} |birthplace= [[Hollywood]], [[California]] |hometown= |height= |discipline= Women's artistic gymnastics |level= Senior international |natlteam= |club=Karolyi's; Moceanu Gymnastics; CGA |gym= |collegeteam= |headcoach= |assistcoach= |formercoach= Béla Károlyi; Marta Karolyi; Luminita Miscenco; Mary Lee Tracy |choreographer=Geza Pozar |music= |eponymousskills= |retired= 2000; 2006 |medaltemplates= <!-- see [[Template:MedalRelatedTemplates]] --> {{MedalSport|Women's [[Gymnastics at the Summer Olympics|Artistic Gymnastics]]}} {{MedalGold|1996 Atlanta|Team competition}} {{MedalWorldChampionships}} {{MedalSilver|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|Balance beam}} {{MedalBronze|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|Team competition}} }} '''Dominique Helena Moceanu''' (born [[September 30]], [[1981]] in [[Hollywood, California]]) is an [[United States|American]] [[gymnast]] of [[Romania]]n descent who was a member of the [[Olympic Games|Olympic]] Gold medal winning 1996 U.S. Women's Gymnastics team in [[Atlanta, Georgia|Atlanta]] (the "[[Magnificent Seven (Gymnastics)|Magnificent 7]]"). The hallmarks of Moceanu's gymnastics, in the early stage of her elite career, were daring tricks on balance beam and spunky, inspired presentations on the floor exercise. In the latter part of her elite career, under the direction of new coaches, she developed a more elegant, mature style. Although she was never considered to be an overwhelmingly innovative gymnast, she did display a high level of difficulty in her gymnastics, particularly on beam and floor. Moceanu trained under coaches [[Marta Károlyi|Marta]] and [[Béla Károlyi]], and later, Luminita Miscenco and Mary Lee Tracy. She earned her first National Team berth at the age of 10 and went on to represent the United States in various major international competitions at the junior level. She was the all-around silver medalist at the 1992 Junior [[Pan Am Games]] and the 1994 junior U.S. National Champion. In 1995, at the age of 13 1/2, Moceanu became the youngest gymnast ever to win the senior all-around title at the U.S. National Championships. She was the youngest member of both the 1995 World Championships team and the gold medal-winning 1996 Olympic squad, the Mag 7, and was popular with both the public and with gymnastics fans. Moceanu's last major success in gymnastics was the 1998 [[Goodwill Games]], where she became the only American ever to win the all-around gold medal. Family issues, coaching changes and injuries derailed her efforts to participate in the Sydney Olympics, and she retired in 2000. Since retirement, Moceanu has continued to participate in gymnastics exhibitions, work as a coach and pursue her post-secondary studies. She is currently married and recently became a mother. ==Early career and the Magnificent 7== Moceanu was born on September 30, 1981 in Hollywood, California to parents Dimitru and Camelia. She has one sister, Christina.<ref name=usagbio>[http://web.archive.org/web/19971210162212/www.usa-gymnastics.org/athletes/bios/m/dmoceanu.html Moceanu's profile at USA Gymnastics]</ref> Moceanu's parents, who had both been gymnasts in their native Romania, had early aspirations for her gymnastics career: while she was still a toddler, they tested her strength by allowing her to hang from a clothesline.<ref name=storybook>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=990CE7DB103BF934A2575BC0A963958260 "Even at Age 13, a Storybook Career Is Emerging"] ''New York Times,'' August 17 1995</ref> Moceanu began gymnastics classes in [[Illinois]] at the age of 3 1/2<ref name=usagbio /> and later trained at LaFleur's club in [[Florida]]. In 1991, at the age of 10, she moved to [[Houston]], [[Texas]], where she became one of the last gymnasts to be trained by the legendary Romanian coaches [[Marta Károlyi|Marta]] and [[Béla Károlyi]].<ref name=ig06>[http://web.archive.org/web/20051017104429/http://intlgymnast.com/interview/moceanu_dominique.html "IG Online interview: Dominique Moceanu"] ''International Gymnast,'' 2005</ref> She began competing internationally at a young age, earning her first U.S. National Team berth in 1992. <ref name=storybook /> At the age of 10 1/2, in the spring of 1992, she earned five medals--gold in the team event, uneven bars, vault and floor exercise; silver in the all-around--at that year's Junior [[Pan Am Games]].<ref name=usagbio /><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19990220104707/http://www.intlgymnast.com/features/jtdom.html "Chatting with Jennie and Dominique"] Nancy Raymond, ''International Gymnast,'' March 1993</ref> Under Károlyi's tutelage, Moceanu became the U.S. Junior National Champion in 1994. In 1995 she repeated her success as a senior, becoming the youngest gymnast ever to win the U.S. Championships. She was also the youngest member of the American team at the 1995 World Championships in [[Sabae]], [[Japan]]. Moceanu did not disappoint, earning the highest American placement in the all-around competition and becoming the only American gymnast to win an individual medal, a silver on the balance beam.<ref name=ig06 /> Moceanu's national and international successes, combined with her plucky, bubbly attitude, earned her attention and a wide fan base both in and out of the gymnastics community.<ref name=storybook /> In the months leading up to the Atlanta Olympics, she was one of the most recognizable faces of USA Gymnastics, eclipsing more decorated teammates such as [[Shannon Miller]] and [[Dominique Dawes]]. Before the Olympics, Moceanu was featured in [[Vanity Fair (magazine)|Vanity Fair]]<ref name=suntimes>[http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_19991212/ai_n13835543 "Gymnast Mocenanu is down but ready to bounce back"] ''Chicago Sun-Times, December 19, 1999</ref> and wrote an autobiography, ''Dominique Moceanu: An American Champion''. The book was highly successful and ranked number seven on the New York Times' Best Sellers List.<ref>''Dominique Moceanu : An American Champion.'' Dominique Moceanu, as told to Steve Woodward. BT/Yearing, 1995, ISBN 0613076354</ref> Moceanu was expected by many to be a major medal threat at the 1996 Olympics.<ref name=nadia>[http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/07-96/07-11-96/d01sp109.htm "The Next Nadia?"] Jamie Aaron, Associated Press, 1996</ref><ref name=storybook /> However, following the 1996 U.S. Nationals, where she placed third in the all-around, she was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her right tibia. Her injury forced her to sit out of the Olympic Trials, but she was petitioned onto the team on the strength of her Nationals scores.<ref name=nadia /><ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19971109033823/http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/events/1996/trials/women.html "Star-studded Women's team heads for Atlanta"] USA Gymnastics press release, June 30 1996</ref> At the Olympics, still struggling with her injury and sporting a heavily bandaged leg, Moceanu contributed heavily to the team gold medal, turning in such strong performances that she qualified for the event finals on balance beam and floor exercise. However, she faltered in the last rotation of team finals, falling on both of her vaults.<ref>[http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/espn25/story?page=moments/51 "Kerri Strug fights off pain, helps U.S. win gold"] Rick Weinberg, ESPN</ref> She only advanced to the all-around finals as a replacement for injured teammate [[Kerri Strug]]. Small mistakes cost her a medal, but she still placed a respectable ninth. In the balance beam event final, Moceanu suffered a horrifying fall when she missed a foot on a layout and crashed into the balance beam on her head. She finished the exercise and went on to a strong performance in the floor finals later that day, finishing fourth and just missing a medal.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/19971109035234/http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/events/1996/olympics/event2.html Event finals notes]USA Gymnastics, 1996</ref> ==Post-Atlanta== Following the Atlanta Olympics, Moceanu participated in numerous events and professional gymnastics exhibitions, including a 100-city tour, before returning to competition. With the retirement of the Károlyis, she began training with other coaches at Moceanu Gymnastics, a gym constructed and run by her family.<ref name=ig06 /> Out of peak form, Moceanu placed ninth at the 1997 US Nationals. She participated in the [[1997 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]] in Lausanne, Switzerland, leading a new and mostly inexperienced US team. She was elected team captain, and qualified for the all-around final, but the competition was not a positive experience for her. By 1998 however, Moceanu returned to top form. Under the tutelage of her new coach, Luminita Miscenco, she adjusted to a significant growth spurt and developed a clean, elegant style. She was selected for the American team at the 1998 [[Goodwill Games]], where she became the first and only American to ever win the all-around title. In doing so, she defeated reigning World all-around champion Svetlana Khorkina, as well as the World silver and bronze medalists, [[Simona Amanar]] and [[Elena Produnova]]. Many consider this competition to be the highlight of Moceanu's career.<ref name=ig06 /> In late 1998, Moceanu was in the news for another reason--she left home and sued for legal [[Emancipation of minors|emancipation]] from her parents in order to regain control of the money she'd earned as a gymnastics professional. In the resulting court case and television interviews, Moceanu stated that her father had squandered her sizable earnings and had an abusive, controlling nature. The court approved her petition for emancipation and control of her finances.<ref name=suntimes /><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9403E4DA173BF932A35751C1A96E958260&n=Top%2FReference%2FTimes%20Topics%2FPeople%2FM%2FMoceanu%2C%20Dominique"Gymnast Moceanu Gets Order Of Protection Against Father"] Jere Longman, ''New York Times,'' December 1 1998</ref> However, Moceanu did eventually reconcile with both of her parents.<ref name=ig06 /> Training with Mary Lee Tracy at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy (CGA), Moceanu placed 8th at the 2000 U.S. Nationals. She qualified for the Olympic Trials, but was forced to withdraw with a knee injury.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20001018205014/http://www.usa-gymnastics.org/news/2000/aug17-moceanu.html Transcript of Moceanu press conference at USA Gymnastics] August 17 2000</ref><ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0DEFDC153EF93BA2575BC0A9669C8B63&n=Top/Reference/Times%20Topics/People/M/Moceanu,%20Dominique "Injured Moceanu forced out of competition"] Selena Roberts, ''New York Times,'' August 18 2000</ref> ==2000-2007== In the fall of 2000, Moceanu participated in a post-Olympics national exhibition tour.<ref>[http://www.allbusiness.com/services/amusement-recreation-services/4596241-1.html "After Success In 1996, Gymnastics Tour Looks For Even Bigger Results"] Mary Wade Burnside, ''Amusement Business,'' September 25 2000</ref> She also participated in one of the post-Athens Olympics gymnastics tours in 2004, the "Rock N' Roll Gymnastics Championships".<ref>[http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/magazine/09/27/olympic1004/index.html "After the Gold Rush"] E.M. Swift, ''Sports Illustrated''/CNN, October 4 2004</ref> After a five-year hiatus from elite gymnastics, Moceanu announced a return to competition in 2005. However, injury kept her from competing in the 2005 Nationals. She remained committed to her comeback efforts, training on floor and vault.<ref name=ig06 /> In the summer of 2006, Moceanu was invited to attend the USA Gymnastics national training camp. She also competed at the 2006 US Classic, where she performed decently on vault, successfully executing a full twisting [[Tsukahara vault]]. On floor, she went out of bounds on her tucked full-in pass and fell on her double pike, posting one of the lowest FX scores of the meet. In a decision that proved to be somewhat controversial, Moceanu was not able to qualify to the 2006 U.S. National Championships. Moceanu stated that she had been informed that she would advance to Nationals by attending the National Training Camp and competing at least two events at the Classic. Despite meeting these requirements, she was not able to qualify to Nationals based on her Classic performances. Moceanu appealed this decision with USA Gymnastics, but the ruling was not overturned.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20061027051929/http://www.intlgymnast.com/news/2006/aug.html "Moceanu grievance denied"] ''International Gymnast,'' August 10 2006</ref> Moceanu is currently a full-time business management student at [[John Carroll University]] in [[Cleveland]], [[Ohio]], and expects to graduate in the spring of 2009. She also coaches part-time at a gymnastics club in Cleveland and conducts clinics and private lessons around the country.<ref>[http://www.celebrity-babies.com/2007/11/cbb-exclusive-g.html#more CBB Exclusive: Going for (baby) gold with Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu] Jennifer Parris, ''Celebrity Baby Blog,'' 2007</ref> On November 4, 2006, Moceanu married long-time boyfriend and former Ohio State gymnast Dr. Michael Canales in Houston, Texas.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,26334,1555170,00.html "Gymnast Dominique Moceanu gets married"] Michael Haederle, ''People'' magazine, November 5, 2006</ref> At age 26, Moceanu gave birth to a daughter, Carmen Noel Canales. Carmen was born on [[December 25|Christmas Day]], [[2007]], just after 3 p.m. at Cleveland's MacDonald Women's Hospital. The baby weighed 7 lbs., 7 oz. upon delivery and measured 18.5 inches.<ref>[http://www.people.com/people/article/0,,20168481,00.html "Gymnast Dominique Moceanu Has a Baby Girl"] ''People Magazine,'' December 28, 2007</ref> == Major results == * 2000 US Championships: 8th AA * 1998 Goodwill Games: 1st AA * 1998 US Championships: 3rd AA; 1st BB; 1st VT * 1997 World Championships: 6th Team; 14th AA * 1997 US Championships: 9th AA * 1997 International Team Championships: 2nd Team; 17th (two events only) * 1996 Olympic Games, Atlanta USA: 1st Team; 9th AA; 4th FX; 6th BB * 1996 US Championships: 3rd AA * 1995 World Championships, Sabae JPN: 3rd Team; 5th AA; 2nd BB; 7th FX * 1995 US Championships: 1st AA; 2nd FX; 3rd VT; 5th BB; 6th UB * 1995 US Classic: 2nd AA * 1994 US Championships: 1st AA (junior) * 1993 US Championships: 7th AA (junior) * 1993 US Classic: 8th AA (junior) * 1993 US Olympic Festival: 12th AA * 1992 Pan American Games: 1st Team; 2nd AA; FX, VT; UB (youth) * 1992 US Championships: 5th AA (junior) * 1992 US Classic: 10th AA (junior) * 1991 US Classic: 7th AA (junior) ==References== <!--See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Footnotes for an explanation of how to generate footnotes using the <ref(erences/)> tags--> <div class="references-small" style="-moz-column-count:2; column-count:2;"> <references/> </div> ==External links== *[http://www.dominique-moceanu.com Official Website] *[http://www.geocities.com/Colosseum/9313 AAA Dominique Moceanu: America's Dream] *[http://www.moceanugymnastics.com moceanugymnastics] *[http://www.fig-gymnastics.com/events/athletes/bio.jsp?ID=4698 Moceanu's profile at the FIG website] {{NavigationOlympicChampionsArtisticGymnasticsWomenTC}} <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]] --> {{Persondata |NAME= Moceanu, Dominique Helena |ALTERNATIVE NAMES= |SHORT DESCRIPTION=[[United States|American]] [[gymnast]] |DATE OF BIRTH= 1981-09-30 |PLACE OF BIRTH= [[Hollywood]], [[California]] |DATE OF DEATH= |PLACE OF DEATH= }} {{DEFAULTSORT:Moceanu, Dominique}} [[Category:1981 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:American gymnasts]] [[Category:Medalists at World Gymnastics Championships]] [[Category:Olympic gymnasts of the United States]] [[Category:Romanian-Americans]] [[Category:Olympic gold medalists for the United States]] [[Category:People from Los Angeles, California]] [[Category:Gymnasts at the 1996 Summer Olympics]] [[de:Dominique Moceanu]] [[ro:Dominique Moceanu]]