Okino Reader Question & Answer:
Betty Okino

E-MAIL BETTY
WITH YOUR QUESTIONS


SportsHollywood franchise player Betty Okino answers reader questions about acting, gymnastics, and the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

If you have a question for Betty, simply e-mail her by clicking the button, at right. Keep it clean, we're monitoring them closely...


READER QUESTIONS, 9/22/2000

Hello Betty!
My name is Bree Salter and I have been trying to get in touch with you a long time. I just wanted to let you know that you are my inspiration. You really don't know what you mean to me. I see you and I see a strong female. When I was little, it was you who I wanted to be like. I have never met you, but I feel just by seeing you on TV and the positive role model you have become for me is a blessing. You have become such a blessing in my life. I am so sorry that this is not a question. I have been trying to find out where to email you for five years and I thought that this was a good opportunity. Thank you for your time and I wish that you would please email me back.

Your #1 Fan, Bree


Betty Okino in competition.
BETTY: I'm at a loss for words, that's so cool. Wow! Wow! That's all I can say. The fact that I've impacted someone's life... Wow! I'm touched! Thank you!!!

"Hi Betty! What gymnast inspired you the most when you started out?" - Salrow

BETTY: I would say it was two gymnasts, not one: Nadia Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton. I started gymnastics after watching Mary Lou in the '84 Olympics. Actually, the next day I told my parents I wanted to do gymnastics. Literally the next day I went to the gym for the first time.

"How would your Olympic team do against the current one?" - gymfan

BETTY: The Sydney team? The Sydney U.S. team? (Laughing) We would kick their ass! Not to be arrogant in any way but, without a doubt!

"What was your most memorable performance in gymnastics and in acting?" - Larry

BETTY: Oh God, there are so many. My first one would be the America Cup in 1990 because that's where I got my first perfect 10. It was on the vault. That was the best feeling in the world. Then the second one would be the 1991 World Championships in Indianapolis and the vault was our last event and it was a team competition and there was 70,000 thousand people just going crazy in the stands. It was kind of cool because we won a silver medal. We were up for gold medal contention and everybody went one vault after another and we all nailed it and nailed it and nailed it. We ended on Kim Zmeskal's vault and she ended with a 10 and it was huge. It was so cool.

"How about in acting?" - (More of Larry)

BETTY: (Big Laugh) I haven't had that yet. I've had performances but none of them were memorable!

"It's interesting to hear the athlete's perspective. Are you singled/involved/married/divorced?" - max8037

BETTY: Single? Yes, I'm single. Involved? Uh, no. Married? No. Divorced? Never.

"What do you think the U.S. can do to better prepare our Olympic Team for the next Olympics?" - Monica

BETTY: The U.S. needs a leader! Someone like Bela, who I doubt will be around the team for the next Olympics. But just his being involved in the sport, he has always set the precedent. Even though didn't train all six girls on the teams in the past, he did coach 3 or 4 of them. Some girls were coached by other coaches. He set the standard; he set the tone that all the other coaches followed. As much as people and other coaches liked to bag on him they watched him. They watched him in training, they watched him in competition and they took some of his methods, techniques and work ethic and they applied that to their own athletes, which made an all-around great team. Without a coach like Bela at the head leading the U.S., I don't know. They need another great coach is what they need. Funding is fine, especially after the '96 gold medal. The talent is not a problem either; we have tons of talent in this country. We need great coaches. Not to say that the coaches we have now are not good, but they don't have that thing that Bela had. He was the driving force in the sport and it makes such a huge difference him not being involved.

"Do you think Bela will coach again?" - Kath14

BETTY: I don't think so... I could be wrong though. His whole life's been gymnastics; I think he's ready to retire. He wants to relax, hang out at his ranch, play with his animals, and be with his wife and travel.

"What are your measurments (sic)?" - Bettyfan

BETTY: 38-22-38 baby!

"Hi I have always been a great fan and I have been wondering for the longest while whatever happened to you. Great to know that things turned out so well for you. :) --Texian2112

BETTY: Thank you very, very much, that's greatly appreciated!

"I'm curious; many people in acting have difficulty getting their audience to accept them as multifaceted beings. Have you had any trouble hosting a Disney show while simultaneously appearing in MTV's "Undressed?" They really seem to be at opposite ends of the spectrum." -- datchristlikekid

BETTY: Yes, they are. But the beauty of it is that I haven't had any problems. It's the Gemini in me, the twins. Good Betty and Evil Betty.

(Cont.) "As they passed each other in the heat of battle, he looked into the piercing eyes of The Fisherman, and thought fearfully to himself, "The Force is strong in this one. (Matt.4:18-19)" -- datchristlikekid

BETTY: Oh wow, I like that. That sounds like something Bela would say. He always looks into the eyes of his athletes during training or when he's yelling at them and if he sees a fire in there and if he sees that they don't back down from his eye contact then that's a strong athlete. That will make a champion!

Okino Archive
Okino Betty Okino

1990 U.S. National Championships: Silver Medalist (AA), Gold Medalist (Beam) and Event Finalist (5th Bars, 4th Floor)
1991 World Championships: Silver Medalist (Team), Bronze Medalist (Beam) and 4th AA
1991 American Cup: Champion and Gold Medalist (AA, Vault, Bars)
1992 World Championships: Silver Medalist (Bars) and Event Finalist (8th Beam)
1992 Olympics: Bronze Medalist (Team) and Event Finalist (6th Beam)


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