Lilia Podkopaeva
"The coolest thing that happened to me was coming back to Ukraine.  I had been traveling nine months since the end of June 1996 before the Olympics.  When I finally returned after the John Hancock Tour in February of this year.  It was so cool to finally walk down the streets in Kiev and be recognized by everyone.  People walked up and thanked me for winning so many medals for Ukraine in Ukraine's first Olympics since independence.  I know the U.S. team enjoyed this last year while we were on tour, but I never had the chance until returning this year.  I felt proud.  It was and astill is the coolest thing that has happened to me, to be appreciated by so many people in Ukraine.  I have been very busy training for the World Championships and I have not had much of a chance to look forward to the things in the next year.  As I write this I am leaving for the World Championships.  One thing that I am excited about is I am really looking forward to moving into my new high rise apartment at the beginning of next year.  It was awarded to me by the City of Kiev and has been built especially for me over the last year and a half.  I am really looking forward to moving into it.  Of course I don't know how much I will be there with travels to the United States and Europe."
 

Svetlana Boguinskaia
"Making the Olympic Team and competing at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta.  I appreciated these Olympics the most because they were the last of my tree appearances.  This year, I am planning on moving to New York and will begin working with the dance and entertainment group Anti-Gravity.  I also plan to continue competing and performing professionally."

Kim Zmeskal
"For  me, the coolest thing that has happened has been the chance to have teammates again.  After the last tour, I moved to Cincinnati with my boyfriend and two puppies to train and coach with Mary Lee Tracy, Steve Elliott, Amanda Borden and Jaycie Phelps.  The positive atmosphere in teh gym has renewed my love for the sport and inspired me to learn more.  I'm looking forward to having a blast with my friends on tour!!! This fairly neww professional aspect of gymnastics excites me to continue to perform as well as to compete Even though I am 21 years old, there are tons of things I want to do within this sport."

Jessica Davis
"Aside from the Olympics, the Tour was definitely the coolest thing I did last year.  Performing in over 50 cities gave the opportunity to focus on the crowd and enjoyment of gymnastics instead of the pressures of competition.  I am looking forward to introducing more people to Rhythmic Gymnastics in the next few months and having a good time before heading off to college."
 

 
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