International GYMNAST Magazine Online, OK
July 12 2008

Interview: Mattie Larson (USA)

Saturday, July 12, 2008 By John Crumlish

Seventh at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials, first-year senior Mattie
Larson spoke with IG about her chance to make the U.S. team to the
Olympics next month in Beijing.

Larson’s lack of senior international experience has not affected her
thus far in 2008. She placed seventh all-around at the Visa [U.S.]
Championships in Boston and the U.S. Olympic Trials in Philadelphia,
both held in June. Based on Larson’s performances in Philadelphia and
Boston, she earned a spot on the 12-woman U.S. Olympic training squad.

Following a final selection camp that will take place July 16-20 at
the Karolyi ranch in Texas, the U.S. Olympic team will be named. Shawn
Johnson and Nastia Liukin, who finished first and second at the
trials, have already been appointed to the team. Larson is one of 10
candidates for the remaining spots.

Born May 20, 1992, in Los Angeles, Larson trains at All Olympia
Gymnastics Center in her hometown. She is coached by 1980 Olympic
all-around finalist Galina Marinova (Bulgaria) and 1983 world vault
champion Artur Akopyan (Armenia/Soviet Union).

Larson’s success at the junior level included three gold medals
(all-around, floor exercise and team) at the 2007 Junior Pan American
Championships in Guatemala; and sixth place all-around at the 2007
U.S. Junior Championships.

In the IG Online interview, Larson describes her preparations for the
final U.S. team training camp, and where she hopes her 2008 results
will lead her.

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IG: You seemed to have gained a lot of confidence and consistency
since competing as a junior. What do you think has made you more solid
as a senior?

ML: Being put in the situation kind of makes you hit your routines
flawlessly, and show everyone what you came for.

IG: What skills or routines did you pay special attention to, going
into the Olympic year?

ML: There weren’t any specific skills or routines, but we definitely
emphasized doing a lot of routines and trying to get through them, and
after that, concentrating on the small details.

IG: Most of the gymnasts in contention for the Olympic team have at
least one year of senior experience, but you are a first-year
senior. How have been able to adjust so quickly to what’s expected of
you as a senior?

ML: I don’t really feel a difference between junior and senior, other
than the fact that, in senior, we are closer. We have been with each
other more, so I actually like it a little better in
senior. Competition-wise, it’s exactly the same. I’m doing some of the
same routines – just adding some a few new skills. I don’t really
think there’s a big difference.

IG: Have you felt more nervous during the actual competitions of 2008?

ML: I usually feel a little bit of nerves, but not any different from
before.

IG: Do you feel you have more to prove to the selection committee, who
sees your talent but doesn’t know how you hold up in world
competition? Or, do you just "do your thing?"

ML: I just do my thing. I want to show that it doesn’t matter if
you’re just coming out of juniors, or if you have already been a
senior. What matters is that people can trust you and can count on you
to hit your routines.

Larson on beam at the 2008 U.S. ChampionshipsIG: At trials, you seemed
to run out of steam on your final floor pass (double pike) on both
nights. What was the issue there?

ML: It wasn’t that much of an issue, because it doesn’t happen that
often. I think it was endurance and technique. I was a little slow on
the back handspring, Artur was saying. I’ve been working on it at the
gym, and it’s back to normal.

IG: How much of the crowd’s involvement did you feed off?

ML: I really think they helped me finish that routine, because I was
really tired! They were so loud. It was the loudest crowd I’ve even
competed in front of. Even some of the girls who’ve been on Worlds
teams were saying it was one of the most active and loudest crowds
they’ve ever performed in front of. The crowd was really, really
supportive. They didn’t cheer softly for anyone. They were louder for
some, but they were just a really good crowd.

IG: With two coaches ‘ Galina Marinova and Artur Akopyan ‘ who works
with you on which events?

ML: I would say they are both my main coaches. They fuel each other to
be the best coaches they can be. One will say something, and help the
other, and learn something new. Artur coaches me mainly on vault and
bars. Galina does beam and floor dance, and Artur does floor tumbling.

I’ve been working with Galina since I turned 7. I’ve been with her
since the day she opened the All Olympia gym. One other girl and I are
the only ones left, the original ones, who were there the day the gym
opened – even before they put the equipment in.

IG: Since trials, what have Galina and Artur been focusing on in your
training?

ML: I have been working on finishing my routines, but concentrating
more on vault and floor, because that’s where Galina and Artur think I
can contribute most to the team. They’re giving me tips on the mental
stuff, as well as doing as many successful routines as possible. After
I get through those routines, I can focus on the details and cleaning
things up. They also give me tips, like not to put too much pressure
on myself because it’s not like my last chance ever. It’s just going
to be a great experience, whether I make the team or I don’t. The next
time around, I’ll have this Olympics experience ‐ going through
trials and training camp. They’re just trying to keep me positive.

IG: What improvements are you making on vault (double-twisting
Yurchenko)?

ML: I’m trying to do higher vaults, and not pike down, because that’s
where the deductions come in.

IG: How realistic were your expectations to be in this position? Were
you hoping, or more expecting, to be in the top group that is being
considered for Beijing?

ML: I was definitely hoping. I didn’t expect myself to do it. I
wouldn’t expect it of anyone in their first year as a senior. It was
more like a hope and desire to get this far. I got this far and I’m
going to keep hoping to get on the team, but I’m not going to expect
too much from myself. The main people get nervous is themselves
getting in the way, rather than other people making them nervous.

IG: How do you think you’ll handle both possibilities ‐ making
the team, or not making the team?

ML: Galina and Artur have been talking with me about it, and getting
me through this time by saying that, either way, it’s going to be a
great experience for me. If I don’t make the team, and can stay away
from bad injuries, then I’m definitely going to try for the next
Olympics. So much has happened in one year. There is so much media
attention, because it’s the Olympic year. It’s like three years worth
of competing, all put together into one year. It’s going to help me a
lot, because it forces you to know what’s going on, and I think that’s
a good thing. If I don’t make the team, I think I will handle it
really well. I was hoping just to make it to this point. I want to go
in and see what happens, and hopefully, my parents and coaches will be
proud of me.

IG: Competitively, how has the trials experience benefited you for
future meets?

ML: It’s helped me a lot, because I’m competing with the best in this
country, and the best in this country are definitely the best in the
world. It can show me where I’m standing, and this gives me more
confidence.