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A
German Gymnast in the Olympic Salt Lake City
(by Gritt Hofmann, Member of German National Team, Artistic
Gymnastics)
"After
over two month in Salt Lake City, I can say that I have settled in
slowly.
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Compared
with Berlin, the city is a little smaller of course but
the mountains, which sourround the city here, are very
impressive. One has the most beautiful view from the
campus because downtown lies literally right below us here
to ones feet. I particularly enjoy the hours in the
morning when the sun just barely rises stunningly over the
mountains and the city. That is just one indescribable
beautiful moment. Consequently, the long distances one has
to walk from class to class become more pleasantly and one
forgets partly how cold it is actually really gets.
I am finally adjusting to the student life as well. Most of the material
covered in class is from the Abitur area und thus
repetition for me. This is very helpful and makes the
language acquisition made easier for me. Once I know the
language “perfectly”, I will strive for a final degree
from the school of art/architecture.
Hopefully that will happen soon. |
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Another important reason for me to come to Utah was of course the
university gymnastics team. Go Utes!
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The team consists of 11 gymnasts (incl. me). All are very powerful and
love gymnastics just as much as I do. As a result, the
meets on the weekends are always connected with a lot of
fun. However, a sports arena with an average of over
10,000 enthusiastic spectators makes each gymnastics heart
beat faster. It’s hardly conceivable how beautiful it
can be to do gymnastics here in the Huntsman Center. The team, the coaches, the
physiotherapists, as well as all the other people that
cooperate with us, have fully accepted and welcomed me and
are ready to help me any time. Therefore, I feel right at
home and I know that someone will always look after me. No
matter wether it concerns training, the university or any
other problems.
<<
The Utah team is greeting all participants of
the Europeans in Patras!!! |
The competition season begins in January and ends usually at the end of
April. It’s a long season during which we have a meet every
weekend either at home or on the road. That’s quite an
exhausting time but nevertheless fun! And that’s the most
important thing. The best are the final scores, which always are
in the area of 9.8 (of course without a fall). Likewise, a 10er
valuation for a perfect exercise is quite possible. Now that’s
really the dream for every gymnast: To do a perfect exercise and
also getting 10.00! College competitions make this possible (due
to relieved valuation regulations).
Olympic
Games were great....!!!
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A further highlight without question have been the Olympic winter games.
It was truly unique to be part of the Olympic feeling and
atmosphere from such close proximity. Sometimes it was
difficult to believe that the things one saw on TV took
place directly at one’s own doorstep.
I was even able to get a ticket for the ladies short program in figure
skating. It was unbelievable; especially since the tickets
have been sold out for a long time. To watch an Olympic
competition live was a unique experience. I enjoyed it
very much. I wish I could say the same about gymnastics.
Not only to watch - but to be there. Who knows, maybe in
2004 in Athens…?
With the Olympics gone, I am able to stay in the new dorms that used to
be the Olympic village. Everything was newly built just
for the Olympics. Therefore, the rooms are spacious and
luxurious., which makes me feel right at home here.
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Gritt (re),...
im Spiegel der Olympiaereignisse vor Ort.
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Of course, I miss all my friends, coaches, relatives and especially my
family. Luckily for me, there is still the Internet and telephones
that make it possible to continuously stay in touch despite the
long distance between us.
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Due to the detailed reporting of the GYMmedia team and www.gymmedia.com.
So I’m always up to date about what’s going on in the gymnastics world. And sine the pages are in german and in English my coach is
even able to read everything as well. He is really impressed
about how extensive and detailed the GYMmedai team works.
Therefore, big praise to the team!
All in all, I’m very glad to be able to undergo this
wonderful experience here in Salt Lake City.
Thus I enjoy every day that I can spend here.
Much cordial greets to everybody and specially to all the German gymnasts,
now in this week in Patras - GOOD LUCK!!!
I will have a look about all GYMmedia information:
(www.gymmedia.com/patras/women)
Gritt
Hofmann,
Salt Lake City
,
University of Utah
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