Shawn Johnson East Prepares For Paris With Daughter Drew
By Movieguide® Contributor
Former Olympian Shawn Johnson East shared a new YouTube video where she teaches her children about the Olympics.
Ahead of this summer’s games in Paris, East knows families often gather around televisions to cheer on their countries.
“Did you know the summer Olympics happen every four years in different places all over the world? Around 40 Sports compete all in the same location for the prestigious title of Olympic medalist,” East said.
East’s daughter, Drew, is 4 years old and starting to express interest in the sport that made her mom famous — gymnastics.
“I fell in love with gymnastics when I was about her age around the age of four I stuck with it, kept practicing and found myself at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing China where I won four Olympic medals,” East said.
For East, though. It’s not just about the competition.
“The Olympics aren’t just about who wins the gold medal it’s about bringing people from all over the world to the same place to celebrate the same thing,” East said. “To be a big community of one. It’s about friendship, trying your best and peace. Remember we are all a part of one big world.”
East also reminded her daughter of the dedication it takes to achieve such an elite level.
“So, what does it take to be an Olympian? Hard work and practice,” East told her daughter. “Also you have to love it. I loved it so much that I wanted to go to practice each day and try new things and get better.”
For Johnson, she remembers her Olympic games to be “one of the greatest honors of my life.”
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“Being able to wear the red, white and blue, seeing the flag be lowered, hearing the anthem, put your hand over your chest,” she added. “It was this moment I had dreamt of my whole life. And being able to do that not just for myself, but for my coaches and my team and our country, it was a really special moment. It felt very special.”
Johnson will return to the Olympics this summer in Paris but as a spectator and with her kids and husband, Andrew.
“We’ve been actually researching the games, and I’m crazy enough to be taking all three of my kids and our family over there, but the opening ceremonies on the river this year is something I’ve never heard of or seen,” she told NBC Insider. “I think it’s going to really, really special, so I’m really excited to see [it]. It’s also open to the public as well which is wild.”
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