Vanessa Atler has been on our hot list since she and rival Kristy Powell finished August’s U.S. National Championships in a first-place tie. Talk about five days of kick-butt competition! How did Atler, a 4-foot-9-inch, 15-year-old California whirlwind, begin the sport? And how does she see her future? KidNews had a chat with the Olympic hopeful to find out.
KidNews: How did you get started?
Vanessa Atler: When I was about 5, I told my mom I wanted to be a cheerleader. She put me in a tumbling class. I loved it and decided to stay with that, rather than cheerleading.
KN: When did you know it would be more than just “fun”?
Atler: I quit gymnastics for about three months when I was 11. I kept thinking, “Yes, I’m free.” That lasted two days. Then I was like, “Oh my god, this is so boring. What do people do?” I wanted to come back. That’s when I knew.
KN: How often do you practice?
Atler: Five days a week. I get two days off, which is unusual for an elite gymnast.
KN: What do you do on your days off?
Atler: I shop or go to the movies. I loved “I Know What You Did Last Summer.” I’m not allowed to date until I’m 16, but I really don’t have time for a boyfriend.
KN: How do you go to school when you practice five days a week?
Atler: I go to my teacher at an independent study school. She gives me my work once a week, and I do it on my own. I go to one class in high school – French – five days a week.
KN: Do you have any brothers and sisters?
Atler: My brother, Teddy, is 17. He thinks baseball rules. When we get together, it’s so much fun. Now that he drives a car, we go places together.
KN: Do your brother’s friends ever call you?
Atler: One time they did. My brother got annoyed because they would call and he’d think it was for him, then they would ask for me. It was hilarious.
KN: Do you ever get nervous when you perform in front of people?
Atler: Not really. When I was little, my dream was to land a vault or do a great routine and hear the crowd screaming. Now, that’s what I do. It’s like seeing the dream come true.
KN: Have you ever gotten hurt in gymnastics?
Atler: I’ve had some injuries, like a tight tendon, but I haven’t broken anything. Our gym’s really good about warmups and taking care of little injuries before they get big.
KN: What’s your favorite part of gymnastics?
Atler: Learning new tricks.
KN: What’s your least favorite part ?
Atler: Perfecting new tricks. That’s where the real work comes in.
KN: Are you working on any new tricks now?
Atler: Yeah, but I’m not allowed to say what.
KN: What would you like to do after your gymnastics career is over?
Atler: I think I’d like to be a motivational speaker or do something involved with gymnastics, like be a sportscaster.
KN: What do you think about being a role model for other kids?
Atler: I’m afraid one of these times I’ll be on TV and eat with my mouth open or something. But I think it’s really neat that kids look up to me.
