Olympian Shawn Johnson, author of “Winning Balance, will share her experiences as a gold medal-winning gymnast at 7 p.m., Thursday, March 19, in Cone University Center, McKnight Hall.
Sponsored by the Center for Leadership Development as part of its 49er Forum, the presentation is free and open to the public (Note, this is a change from initial announcment). Following the talk, there will be a reception and book signing in one Center’s After Hours Lounge. A student roundtable will precede the event at 6 p.m. Seating is limited; email lead@uncc.edu.
Johnson said her dream was to compete for the United States at the 2008 Olympics. She won her first senior national championships in August 2007, followed by World AA Champion, with the largest point differentiation against some of the best gymnasts in the world in both competitions. In June 2008, Johnson became the 2008 national champion and was named to the 2008 U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team.
In Beijing, China, Johnson earned an individual gold medal in the balance beam and three silver medals in the individual all-around, floor exercise and team categories.
In April 2009, Johnson won the 79th Amateur Athletic Union Sullivan Award, one of the most prestigious honors in amateur sports. She became the youngest-ever contestant on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” eventually winning season eight. In 2012, Johnson published “Winning Balance” and announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics following a knee injury.
Johnson is involved in a number of philanthropic activities, such as walking shelter dogs and working with animal and children’s charities, as well as working with cancer charities, particularly those that affect women and children. Johnson also is involved in programs that help build good character amongst youth across the country.
*Copies of “Winning Balance” will be on sale at Barnes & Noble at UNC Charlotte, the campus bookstore in the Student Union, or in the Cone Center’s After Hours Lounge March 19.