2004 Olympics: Gymnastics

Gold medalist Patterson's WOGA teammates, friends gather for 'Carly Party'

12:04 AM CDT on Saturday, August 21, 2004

By MATT WIXON / The Dallas Morning News

PLANO – As friends and fans of Carly Patterson gathered Thursday night for an Olympic viewing party, some of them were asked, "Do you want to know the results?"

That was a courteous greeting, but realistically, there was no way the more than 100 Patterson supporters at Austin Avenue Grill could keep the secret. This secret was way too big, way too exciting and way too golden.

Patterson, the 16-year-old who they had watched and trained with at World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Plano, was now an Olympic gold medalist. So to wait a few hours to discuss how "their Carly" had proven she is the best women's gymnast in the world, well ...

That would be nearly as difficult as scoring a perfect 10.

"I couldn't not find out, I had to know," said Kaitlin White, who along with Patterson is on WOGA's elite team.

White made an agreement with some of WOGA's other elite gymnasts not to find out until Thursday night. Holly Vise, a world champion last year in the uneven bars and part of the U.S. women's team's final selection camp, was also part of the agreement.

"But then I got to the gym," Vise said, "and there were signs saying, 'Carly, all-around champion!' "

Maybe it was better to know in advance. At the watching party, there was no nailbiting when Patterson began a routine or tried to stick a dismount. There was only excitement as Patterson's fans soaked in the golden performance taped earlier in Athens, Greece.

The champagne flowed as they cheered every step of the girl who began her gymnastics training in Baton Rouge, La., before moving to Allen to train at WOGA. In fact, the crowd of WOGA gymnasts and their parents cheered from the first moment NBC showed Patterson's face Thursday to remind viewers that gymnastics coverage was upcoming.

As the Patterson fans waited for her time to shine, a few worked on their homework (after all, it was a school night). Others hugged, waved U.S. flags and took pictures and video that will later be given to Patterson. And all of them talked about WOGA's first Olympian.

"I couldn't be more proud of her," White said. "It's just great to see her achieve her goals."

It was an achievement for all of the elite team, whose members have trained closely with Patterson and know her well enough to affectionately call her "fun and ditzy." Sitting at a table watching their friend realize her dream, WOGA elites White, Vise, Stephanie Gentry, Nina Kim and Nastia Liukin felt pride in the moment.

Gary Payne / Special to DMN

World Olympic Gymnastics Academy owner Valeri Liukin celebrates Carly Patterson's performance on the balance beam during an Olympic watching party at Austin Avenue Grill in Plano.

"I feel like we're part of it," Kim said. "When she's working out and having a hard time, we're there for her."

And they will be there for Patterson when she returns to Texas as America's newest gymnastics hero. But will Patterson's newfound fame change her?

Her friends don't think so, even though Patterson is the official answer to the 20-year-old question, "Who is the next Mary Lou?" That question has been asked since Mary Lou Retton was the last American woman to win an Olympic all-around gold.

"Carly does sort of resemble Mary Lou. She's powerful and has the great personality," White said. "But Carly is Carly. Nobody can compare to her. She is the best gymnast in the world."

E-mail mwixon@dallasnews.com