University of California, Los Angeles, Athletics
UCLA with Three Gymnasts at 2012 Olympics
July 27, 2012 | Gymnastics
July 27, 2012
UCLA Gymnastics will once again be well-represented at the Olympic Games, with alumna Anna Li and incoming freshman Danusia Francis being named to their nation's teams as alternates and incoming freshman Peng Peng Lee being named as Canada's honorary team captain.
Li was selected to the U.S. team as an alternate after an impressive showing with one of the most difficult uneven bars routines in the the world at the Olympic Trials. The eight-time All-American and 2010 NCAA Championship team member became the third UCLA gymnast to make an Olympic team either during or after her collegiate career. Unfortunately, Li suffered an injury during training on July 24 and will not be able to compete should the U.S. need to replace an athlete.
Francis was also selected as an alternate for the British team. A three-time British national champion, Francis helped lead Great Britain to a fifth-place finish at the 2011 World Championships, which gave the team a full team qualification for the Olympic Games. In 2012, she won the silver medal in the all-around for the second consecutive year at the British National Championships.
Canada's top gymnast, Lee suffered a knee injury during training at the Canadian National Championships in May that forced her to withdraw from the Olympic selection process. She was, however, named an honorary team captain for the Olympic Games and is with Team Canada in London. Lee was having a strong 2012 season, placing third in the all-around and second on balance beam and floor exercise at the Pacific Rim Championships, as well as winning uneven bars at the Osijek Grand Prix in April. In 2011, she earned a Top 20 all-around finish at the World Championships and led the Canadians to a team bronze medal at the Pan Am Games.
"All of us Bruins could not be more proud of the Bruin gymnasts that will be representing their respective countries in London at the 2012 Olympic Games," said UCLA head coach Valorie Kondos Field. "Anna Li is one of the best bar workers in the world and worked so hard to make this Olympic team. Peng Peng Lee suffered a knee injury two months ago but has been named honorary team captain for Canada, which speaks volumes about her character and value to the team. And Danusia Francis is poised to be a strong alternate for the UK. We can't wait for both Peng Peng and Danusia to start their Bruin careers in the fall."
The London Olympic Games is the eighth consecutive Olympics in which a UCLA gymnast has participated. The UCLA women's gymnastics program has totaled 19 Olympians (12 competitors, six alternates and one honorary team captain).
UCLA Gymnastics Olympians
2012
Anna Li (U.S. alternate)
Danusia Francis (Great Britain alternate)
Peng Peng Lee (Canada honorary team captain)
2008
Samantha Peszek (U.S.)
Elyse Hopfner-Hibbs (Canada)
2004
Mohini Bhardwaj (U.S.)
Kate Richardson (Canada)
Marci Bernholtz (Canada alternate)
Tasha Schwikert (U.S. alternate)
2000
Jamie Dantzscher (U.S.)
Kristen Maloney (U.S.)
Tasha Schwikert (U.S.)
Michelle Conway (Canada)
Kate Richardson (Canada)
Yvonne Tousek (Canada)
Alyssa Beckerman (U.S. alternate)
Holly Murdock (Great Britain alternate)
1996
Yvonne Tousek (Canada)
1992
Luisa Portocarrero (Guatemala)
Stella Umeh (Canada)
1988
Rhonda Faehn (U.S. alternate)
1984
Gigi Zosa (Canada)
