OnlineHost: Shannon Miller is the most decorated American gymnast, winning more Olympic and World Championships medals than any other American gymnast, male or female, in history. She has earned seven Olympic medals and eight World Championships medals. Miller is the only American in history to win two consecutive World Championships all-around titles. Welcome!

AOLiveMC1: Welcome to America Online and AOL Live, Shannon Miller.

ShannonMlr: Thank you. It's great to be here.

AOLiveMC1: We have lots of questions, Shannon. Ready to try some?

ShannonMlr: Yeah!

Question: How did it feel to win 2 gold medals in the same Olympics?

ShannonMlr: Amazing. (Laughs) Better than I could ever imagine.

Question: Are you confident on winning gold medals from the Sydney games?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) I haven't really thought about Sydney too much. Right now I'm looking forward to touring and doing pro competition -- but it's not out of the question.

Question: Did you have fun in Atlanta, and are you friends with Dominique Moceanu?

ShannonMlr: Yes, I had a lot of fun. It was even better than the '92 Olympics in Barcelona. And yes, I'm very good friends with Dominique. She's very sweet and fun to be around.

Question: When did you decide you were going to pursue gymnastics?

ShannonMlr: I started at age 5, but decided I wanted to start competing at age 9 after seeing Russian gymnasts in training.

Question: Could you ask this question first: what events are your favorites?

ShannonMlr: Uneven bars and balance beam. They challenge me the most.

Question: Hello, Shannon. Congratulations on your golden dreams! What are your plans now?

ShannonMlr: Right now, I'm training for the tours that start in September, and I'm looking forward to competing in pro competition, and then going to college in the spring.

Question: What did Shannon think of the way Steve Nunno and she were portrayed in the book "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes?" Was she offended?

ShannonMlr: I haven't read the book, so I really can't answer that question.

Question: Shannon, do you feel Kerri stole the limelight of the entire team?

ShannonMlr: I think that it took a great team effort to win the gold medal, and I think that everyone knows that it took all 7 of us to put that effort forth, and to win it.

Question: Shannon, will you keep in touch with your Atlanta teammates when your career is over?

ShannonMlr: Definitely! We've all become really close after spending almost a month together, and I'm sure we'll be seeing each other a lot for the next few years, especially in competition and on tours.

Question: What is your favorite movie and song?

ShannonMlr: Favorite movie was "Forrest Gump." And it's really hard to pick one favorite song -- I don't think I can! (Laughs)

Question: I saw you on the "Conan O'Brien Show." Your hair is pretty. You look different with your hair down. What was it like winning the gold medal?

ShannonMlr: First, thank you. It was amazing, one of the best moments of my life.

Question: Is there a Shannon Miller Fan Club? If so, how do I contact it and, if not, may I start one?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) I'm not sure if there is one, but feel free to start one if you want! And thank you! You can write to Greg Metzer at ProServe, 119 North Robinson, Oklahoma City, OK 73102.

Question: Do you do any other sports other than gymnastics?

ShannonMlr: Not currently, but hopefully in the future.

Question: Shannon, how much pressure do you feel to be perfect? Do you feel like you are a normal teen?

ShannonMlr: Um, I don't really feel like a *normal* teenager because of all the time I spent in gymnastics and traveling. Most of the pressure that I feel is pressure that I put on myself, because I'm a perfectionist, even outside of gymnastics.

Question: What are your plans until the tour starts?

ShannonMlr: Mostly training and practicing some new skills. Hopefully they'll be ready for the tour.

AOLiveMC1: For late arrivals, we're talking with Gold Medalist, Shannon Miller. Ms Taz106 asks:

Question: Are you going to compete in college?

ShannonMlr: No, I won't be competing in college. Because of the NCAA eligibility rules, I'm not allowed to.

Question: Do gymnasts like yourself lead normal lives, like school dances and boyfriends and stuff?

ShannonMlr: I can't speak for the other gymnasts, but for me, I've lived at home and stayed at public school throughout my gymnastics career. I've missed out on some of the after-school activities and dances, but I've made it up in traveling around the world.

Question: How much did you talk to the athletes from the other countries? Specifically, Nemov from the Russian team. :)

ShannonMlr: We didn't get a chance to talk very much during the Olympic Games, but I've talked to them before at other competitions, and they've always been extremely nice, so I look forward to going on tour with them as well.

Question: Is there an address where we can send letters?

ShannonMlr: Sure -- P.O. Box 5103, Edmond, OK 73083-5103.

Question: On September 29, I'm going to an Olympic Show in Oklahoma City. Are you going to be there? And if you are, will you be signing autographs?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) I will definitely be there, and I'm not sure if they're allowing autographs or not. It's up to the event staff, but, hopefully!

Question: What were you feeling as you witnessed Kerri make her final vault? Did you give her any words of encouragement prior to the jump?

ShannonMlr: We were all shouting out, "You can do it, Kerri!" We knew that she didn't have to make the vault for us to win, but I knew that she really wanted to be in all-around finals and needed that vault to make it in. Unfortunately, when she made that vault, she sprained her ankle and then was unable to compete.

Question: Shannon, I first wanted to congratulate you on your gold. Next thing I wanted to know is, how are you going to attend school in the fall as well as perform with your fellow teammates on the tour you will be on?

ShannonMlr: First, thank you; and second, I won't be attending school during the fall -- I'm going to start full-time during the spring semester at the University of Oklahoma.

Question: Were you a spectator at any of the '96 Olympic events? If so, which ones?

ShannonMlr: Just one of the Dream Team games, and it was a lot of fun.

Question: How long have you trained in your field?

ShannonMlr: Fourteen years I've been in gymnastics.

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Question: Is Shannon interested in coaching after her collegiate career?

ShannonMlr: Not really. I don't think that I could be in the gym and not be doing gymnastics. It would be hard for me.

Question: How many hours of training do you put in each day?

ShannonMlr: 7-8 hours a day, six days a week.

Question: Congrats, Shannon! What age did you first start gymnastics? My daughter is 4 and loved watching the Olympic gymnastics competitions, and wants to try. What is your opinion on starting out?

ShannonMlr: I think she's definitely old enough. I started when I was 5 years old. It's really a great sport to get into.

Question: Was it easier competing in Atlanta than it was last time in Barcelona?

ShannonMlr: Yeah, I think it was. We felt more like a team this year, and it made it a lot easier because we all stuck together.

Question: Shannon, who is your best friend on the Olympic Team?

ShannonMlr: It's hard for me to pick one person. We all got along so well, and I'm friends with all of them.

Question: When did you win your first gold? Chelsea and Jessica

ShannonMlr: I was nine years old at a Class 2 State Competition.

Question: Shannon, is it hard to begin gymnastics?

ShannonMlr: Not really. When you start out, you just learn the basics and get the coordination you need, and then you gradually move into the bigger skills.

Question: Do you find it difficult to change focus in competitions between individual achievement and what's best for the team?

ShannonMlr: No, not at all. Each time I go out, whether it's for the team or as an individual, I'm just trying to do the best for the team that I can.

Question: How has all the new attention affected you?

ShannonMlr: I'm a lot busier now! But it's been a lot of fun.

Question: What do you have to say to those people who say that ice skaters and gymnasts are essentially abused by their coaches (starved, overworked, etc.?) Is there any truth in it from what you've seen?

ShannonMlr: I can only speak for myself -- and I've been with my coach for 11 years -- he's been a great coach, as well as helped me with things outside of gymnastics. He's taught me to eat healthy, and he's been educated about eating disorders and knows what to look for, and lets us know. So, as far as I'm concerned, I've never had any problems with either of my coaches.

Question: Hi, Shannon. What is it like to be in front of hundreds of people?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) I'm kind of used to it now. But it was amazing at the Olympic Games because they were all yelling for the USA, and it was a great feeling.

Question: Shannon, can you describe to us what it was like in between competition time in Atlanta? How did you guys relax and enjoy yourselves?

ShannonMlr: In between competitions, we had workouts in the morning and then again in the evening; so, in between workouts we would usually either nap or watch TV, or get physical therapy.

Question: What have you done with the medals?

ShannonMlr: It's in the safe deposit box!

Question: Other than the shows you are putting on soon, what other future plans do you have?

ShannonMlr: Definitely to go to college, and I'm not sure what kind of job I want to do yet, but probably something in either math or business.

Question: What do you think about when you compete?

ShannonMlr: Mostly I think about my routines. I go over them in my head several times before I go up.

Question: Katie, 8 years old from Austin, TX is your biggest fan and would like to know, do you have any brothers or sisters?

ShannonMlr: Yes, I have a younger brother whose name is Troy, and he's 15; and I have an older sister, who's 21, and her name's Tessa, and she lives in California. And thank you, Katie.

Question: Was there a lot of pressure on you during the Olympics?

ShannonMlr: There was a lot of pressure that I put on myself during the Olympics, just because I wanted to do well, for my country, and coaches and parents.

Question: Shannon, what will your major be in college?

ShannonMlr: I haven't really decided yet, but I'm thinking about business.

Question: Will you still compete at the world level? (World Championships?)

ShannonMlr: Not for this year, but I'll have to see in a year or so what I think and how I feel.

Question: How was it working with all the other great gymnasts?

ShannonMlr: It was wonderful. It really helped motivate me working out with them every day.

Question: Shannon, how do you cope with all the publicity aimed at you since the Olympics?

ShannonMlr: It's made me a lot busier than normal, but it's been a lot of fun and gives me the opportunity to do a lot of different things.

Question: What has been your worst injury as a result of being in the sport?

ShannonMlr: My worst injury was right before the '92 Olympics when I broke my elbow and had a screw put in it for the games. My second worst injury is the one I have now, with my wrist.

Question: What does your workout routine consist of?

ShannonMlr: Usually we do at least an hour of condition, which is running, push-ups, things like that. And then we try to do at least an hour on each event, sometimes an hour and a half.

Question: How much time do you get to yourself when you have to train for so many hours a day?

ShannonMlr: I usually get time to myself in between workouts because we usually work out once in the morning, and then again in the evening, and we have a break in between.

Question: Do you feel relieved now that you finally got that much-deserved gold?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) Definitely, although I'm a little bit sad that it might be my last Olympics.

Question: How do you feel your accomplishments as a gymnast will affect gymnastics in the future?

ShannonMlr: Hopefully, I've helped break the age barrier, and gymnasts will be allowed to compete for as long as they want without being discouraged from it.

Question: Are you tired?

ShannonMlr: Right now? A little bit, just from all the things that I've been able to do -- but I wouldn't trade it for anything!

Question: Shannon, I met you at the Chamber of Commerce Building in Atlanta while you were being interviewed by Chris Myers and ESPN for his show, "Up Close." You were very nice, and it was a thrill for me to meet you. My question -- does the press ever annoy you so much that you feel you have no privacy? Thanks, and best of luck! Chris -- Atlanta

ShannonMlr: Thank you. Hi, Chris, and it was nice to meet you, too! I've enjoyed doing all the interviews that I've done. It's an interesting side of life that not many people get to see or be a part of, and there's not very many that annoy me.

Question: What was your hardest obstacle to overcome to get to the Olympics? You did great, and I'm sure the USA is very proud of you! :)

ShannonMlr: Thank you. My hardest obstacle was my wrist injury. Luckily, it went well, and I was able to make it through all the competitions without too much pain.

Question: Was Atlanta really your last Olympics?

ShannonMlr: Possibly. I haven't thought about Sydney very much. Right now I'm just thinking about having some fun!

Question: Do you ever do personal appearances to help benefit other gymnastics clubs? We're at World Cup Gymnastics in Chappaqua, New York.

ShannonMlr: Yes, I've done many of them, as well as charities, but everything goes through my agent first!

Question: We love you, Shannon. Has fame spoiled you at all?

ShannonMlr: Thank you, and I hope not.

Question: What age do you think is too young or too old to compete at the elite level?

ShannonMlr: It's hard for me to say what would be too young and too old. It depends on whether the person is ready to take on that responsibility. Some kids mature faster than others, and if there's a possibility of their having the determination to work hard enough, to stay in it to get a college scholarship, or to make the Olympic Team -- but if they're just competing for fun, then I don't think anyone will ever be too young.

Question: What was your favorite part of being in the Olympics this year?

ShannonMlr: My favorite part of the competition was definitely the team competition, and, as far as the rest of the Olympics goes, my favorite part was meeting the Dream Team.

Question: Shannon, do you know when the Wheaties box is going to come out, and have you seen it yet?

ShannonMlr: (Laughs) Yes, I've seen it, and we're all very excited about it -- and it should be out today.

Question: Shannon, you are such a role model for young people. How do you feel about that? Kerry

ShannonMlr: I've never really considered myself a role model, even though I know that, since I'm in the public eye, I am no matter what. So I've tried to be a good one, and hopefully I'll continue to be a good one, and I think it's important for kids to have role models, no matter whom they choose. Hopefully they'll choose someone who's a good one.

OnlineHost: We have time for one more question.

Question: Do you and the other US gymnasts ever get together outside of training?

ShannonMlr: It's hard for us to get together if we're not at a competition because we're from all parts of the United States. But I know we're going to have a lot of fun together on the tour!

AOLiveMC1: Any closing comments, Shannon?

ShannonMlr: I just want to thank everyone on America Online for their interest and, hopefully, you'll be able to see us when we're on tour.

AOLiveMC1: Thank you for joining us tonight, Shannon Miller. And thank you to our audience members for being here.

ShannonMlr: Thank you!

OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within hours after the event has ended.

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