Courtney McCool

Coach Al Fong on when he was first introduced to an 11-year-old Courtney: "She just had that fire in her eyes, you could see it right away. She was the real deal. And we decided right then to train her."

"I love being here. This is where I want to be. I am motivated and love gymnastics."

Coach Al Fong: "She has made remarkable progress. She has made an impact on a lot of people."

2002 US Nationals: "You know what was best about everything? It made my dad smile. He had quintuple bypass surgery and it's been real tough on our family. And I've been battling this foot injury, with a bruised bone and Achilles heel injury. It's slowed me down, but nothing is going to stop me."

"I was 8 years old when I started gymnastics. My mom took me to a gym because I was always walking on my hands and doing flips in the house."

"I was a bit overwhelmed the first time two girls asked for my autograph at Level 10 Nationals. I was wondering why they would want my autograph. Now it is very flattering. I pray that my actions are a good example for other girls in life as well as gymnastics."

On her coach, Armine Barutyan-Fong: "She makes sure we have a floor routine that fits and then she tells us we’re actors. She wants us to perform, not just [compete]. She always says the last person, in the last row, has to see you. That’s who we’re performing for."

"Making the Olympic team would mean a tremendous amount to me. That would be a dream come true! "

When asked who her role models are: "My mom and her mom. They are both very courageous people."

2003 Pan American Games: "It was the most exciting moment. It was great. I really feel like I belong on the team, but it is like a dream come true."

About Courtney » Quotes from January-May 2004

"This is the year I've been working toward for my whole life. I just have to show the uniqueness of what I do and that I can do everything and that I'm different from anybody else."

American Cup: "Being the least experienced competitor wasn't a factor for me. My goal was to finish in the top two, and I did. I've proved that I can compete at this level, and it's started me off for the year with a lot of confidence."

"It will be exceptionally hard to make the Olympic team. I just have to think about what my goal is; I'm going to do whatever it takes to get there."

Bela Karolyi: "I won't say that Courtney McCool will be the Olympic champion, but I will say that it's going to be an American, period."

Bela Karolyi: ''Just a little thing, people look at her and say that is not a world class gymnast. And then she starts to move, her neck is starting to get long, and that passion. She is not the same person. She is completely together. She is so strong. It is amazing.''

Coach Armine Barutyan-Fong: “We knew she was mentally very tough and a great competitor. We always knew about her potential. She was just waiting for her time, and her opportunity. She loves that. She loves proving to people that she has the potential.”

Coach Al Fong: "She has 'it.' She has what all the judges are looking for. She's really made a name for herself."

Marta Karolyi: “She is very strong, very focused, a very good gymnast. I heard a lot of very positive comments about her from the international coaches and judges.”

"I set very high goals for myself, but not so high that I can’t make them. I believed in myself... I’ve just got to keep believing in myself, knowing I can do this."

"There are just so many girls waiting for the chance. There are going to be so many girls that are heartbroken, that can only watch it on TV. Then there are going to be those that get their opportunity. It all happens in, like, two seconds... We’re such a top, deep team that it’s going to be very, very hard to go out and end up on top. There are just so many great gymnasts."

"I know that if I get that chance to go out there and compete for my country, it’s a great honor. It’s a great experience. To be at this high level. I can’t really explain it, but it’s so intense, so exciting, to the point that there are just no words for it."

About Courtney » Quotes from June 2004

Olympic Trials: "I just can't believe something I have dreamed about since I was a little girl is about to happen. It's all so exciting. I mean, I'm going to the Olympics. I guess dreams do come true."

Mary Lou Retton: "McCool's just a phenomenal gymnast. She doesn't have a bad event.”

Shannon Miller: “Solid as a rock [on beam]... I feel like you could go and push her and she just wouldn't' t budge.”

Kerri Strug: "Courtney McCool has more of a Russian, balletic style. She's just beautiful... she has an artistry that's valued in the sport and is gorgeous to watch."

Olympic Trials: “It's kind of hard to have something this incredible sink in. It might take a lifetime.”

Olympic Trials: “I'm so excited right now that I can't even think. It's not really words. It's more emotions.”

GAGE gymnast Elissa Caudell: "I never doubted that Terin and Courtney could do it. Court has this saying that if she is going to do it, nothing is going to stop her. When it gets hard she kicks it up a notch. She gets this look in her eyes. It's focus.”