Flipping Out

"Al Bello/Getty Images"

INDIANAPOLIS, In. – She is one of the most recognizable faces in Artistic Gymnastics.

Chellsie Memmel (USA) is both a three time world champion as well as an Olympic silver medalist from the Beijing Games. With all she has achieved over her five year international career, it appears that Memmel is not ready to dismount from the sport quite yet.

Memmel competed at the Circle of Stars in Indianapolis, Indiana on Tuesday, January 22. She competed as a Level 10 gymnasts, one ranking below Elite or international World and Olympic level. It may seem to be a step down for Memmel, but it is the safest step to take for a gymnast who has been out of competion for almost two years.

Memmel competed on the vault, uneven bars and balance beam, scoring 9.675, 8.800 and 9.650 respectfully. She did not compete on the floor exercise.

“I forgot how much fun it is to be in this environment”, said Memmel, “I have very basic routines right now. I’m just trying to figure out what works and what doesn’t.”

Her motivation is driven by her disappointment at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Memmel sprained her ankle several days before the team preliminary competition. It allowed her to only compete on the uneven bars in prelims, in which she fell, and in the team final in which United States team brought home a silver medal.

“There is definitely motivation coming from that”, she said, “I didn’t get the experience I wanted.”

With a little over a year before the London Summer Olympics, it is clear that Memmel is not ruling anything out.

“Slow, steady progress in the plan right now. It’s all about getting ready for National Championships.”

And sometimes that what it takes to vault ahead of the rest.