Sep. 24--Shawn Johnson is the compact powerhouse 16-year-old who won a legion of new fans and an Olympic gold medal on the balance beam in Beijing.
Johnson, who also scored three silvers in the Summer Games, will be among the high-profile gymnasts performing tonight at Arco Arena.
She'll also be one of the performers featured on "Frosted Pink with a Twist," an Oct. 12 television special aimed at encouraging awareness and action for cancers affecting women.
Johnson took time out Tuesday to speak with The Bee about her hopes to bolster cancer education, as well as the safety of her own sport.
What made you decide to do health-related outreach after your Olympic success?
I got involved with it because my grandma went through breast and lung cancer when I was 5. It touches my heart a lot. ... She's a survivor of almost 11 years now. ... She never gave up.
What do you hope to contribute?
I don't really know exactly what I can do to help ... . After the Olympics and all the success, I've been getting a lot of media, a lot of attention. It's weird to think about, but I've been told I can influence a lot of people.
What do you want to influence people to do?
To get checkups, to get information, to find out as much as they can.
A recent study concluded that gymnastics, among girls' sports, has one of the highest injury rates. What sort of advocacy work do you do in your own sport, in terms of encouraging young girls to stay healthy?
I just try to promote a healthy and active lifestyle, whether it's in gymnastics or any sport.
How about staying safe in gymnastics?
Listen to your coaches, know your body and know your limitations, and never push anything too far. ... I honestly think gymnastics is as safe as any sport. It just depends on how you treat it. ... You can fall and hurt yourself on a sidewalk.
How are you enjoying being on tour, without having judges grading you?
I love it. ... I just perform and have fun. ... You don't have to worry about the perfect landing, things like that. To see more of The Sacramento Bee, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.sacbee.com/. Copyright (c) 2008, The Sacramento Bee, Calif. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2008 The Sacramento Bee, Calif.