Article and photo by Becky Fillinger
Shane meets the press
Shane Wiskus had finished his official practice session Tuesday afternoon, rotating between the six events set up for male gymnasts at the Target Center. Journalists waited patiently for him, and other athletes, in an area backstage referred to as the Mixed Zone. As we heard that the Minnesota-born athlete, Gopher collegiate standout and Olympian was on his way, a palpable shift occurred – the area came alive with notepads opening and cameras and recording devices activated. Microphones were thrust toward Wiskus and he breezily responded to question after question.
He finds it comforting to be in Minnesota for the U.S. Olympic Team Trials – he doesn’t get to be here that often and his hope is that the Target Center crowds are loud, energetic and show love for the competitors. He will try to stay in his own bubble, which he describes as a muscle trained to focus intently during championship situations.
He was asked to compare the lead-up year for the 2021 Olympics and this past year. “Both years held challenges for me. The lead up to the last Olympics was so different. We had COVID to deal with and I had to make the hard decision to leave my college training center at the University of Minnesota and move to the Olympic Training Center. We had quarantines to deal with and limits on gym training times. This last year has been more injury-based. I have to make sure that I can do my gymnastics to the best of my capability. I was really beat up at the end of last season. My back and shoulder were not where they needed to be. I now feel that I’m in the best shape of my life and I’m so grateful to be here. I’m taking it one day at a time.”
Wiskus is the subject of the documentary film Losing Grip. Did the documentary have any impact on funding for collegiate gymnastic programs? He didn’t know, but he believes that the director is working on getting the film in front of more people. (Note: the film is on Prime now) Wiskus hopes that people watch and inject themselves into the gymnastics culture to see what gymnasts do between the four years when the world watches Olympic-level competitions.
On competition days, Wiskus likes to take a long hard look at every piece of apparatus. “That’s pommel horse – I’m on that every single day. There’s the still rings – I do rings every single day. I approach my gymnastics with intention, appreciation and gratitude. I’m thankful to be here, to be able to still do what I love. I can remember thinking that if this is my last year as a competitor, I want to be doing it for all the right reasons.”
Shane Wiskus – we’re thankful you’re here, too, and we’re cheering for you!
Watch the men compete on Thursday and Saturday. Get tickets here for the Target Center.
June 27: Day 1, men’s gymnastics, 5:30-8 p.m. (USA Network, Peacock)
June 29: Day 2, men’s gymnastics, 2-5 p.m. Olympic team announced. (NBC, Peacock)
Becky Fillinger
Source link
