"Where do you keep your Olympic medal?" - Brenda
BETTY: I sold it to buy a car! No, my parents have a trophy case and they keep it in there. But they don't play favorites! Being the parents of several kids, they put in the ribbons, trophies, and even high school diplomas of everybody! It's a crowded case!
"How will the Americans do in Sydney?" - Jpres
BETTY: Well, hopefully they'll do well. My prayers are with them! As far as individually, we have our National champion, Elise Ray. Out of anyone, she has the most potential to possibly get a medal. I can't promise a gold but I can promise a medal. She's really strong! Bela's leading the team, so I have no doubt that he will pull some miracle out of his pocket.
"Are you going to be appearing on any shows or movies soon?" - Monvo
BETTY: I'll be appearing on The District, which will be on CBS this fall. I'm in the fourth episode.
"You were my favorite gymnast. I saw you at the world championships in Indiana. Do you miss gymnastics?" - Mich4
BETTY: I miss competing in gymnastics. But I'm still very involved in the sport. I coach so that allows me to still do gymnastics and be a part of it. It'll always be a part of my life! My focus right now is acting. But possibly somewhere later on down the road I'd love to teach gymnasts at the same level as Bela. I love coaching, I love the sport, and I think I have a little bit to offer. We'll see.
"Betty: Do you still do gymnastics, in performance or in competition?" - Jenny
BETTY: I'm not competitive in the sport anymore, but I will always be competitive. (Laughs) But pretty much no, I've narrowed it down to acting. Every now and then I'll do an exhibition or a tour or a show. When the Olympic team comes through L.A., it's possible I might do a beam routine or something.
"I thrilled to you and Kim in Barcelona! Do you still hang out with Kim Zmeskal? Who would win between you in a meet today?" - Shannon
BETTY: She lives in Texas so I don't really see her that often. We still talk regularly but we only see each other about once a year. Do you really have to ask who would win?!?
"Ms. Okino, will you be in more episodes of 'Undressed?" - Jeri
BETTY: (laughing) Someone actually wants to know that? Not if I can help it!
"Who is your favorite gymnast competing today?" - arad
BETTY: Non-competing, Nadia (Comaneci). Competing today, Elise Ray.
"Hi....we are thinking about training our 7-yr-old daughter for the Olympics in swimming. She loves to swim and the best part is....we have an indoor pool connected to our house so she can swim anytime!! Would hiring her own personal trainer be a good thing or put her in a class with other swimmers? And what else should we do to get it all started??" - Cheri
BETTY: First ask her if that's what she wants to do! That's first and foremost. If she doesn't love it as much as you do, there's no point in putting all that effort into it. Second, put her in a class with other swimmers. It will give her a little bit of competition -- it'll push her. It's hard to work alone. I trained alone when I first started and it's difficult. It's easier when you have someone along side of you who can push you. I think that's the best bet for her. Then, as she progresses, and that's what she wants to do, get her private training.
"It's been two Olympics since you were there but now that they're starting, do you miss it?" - Davey W.
BETTY: I wish I was there!!! Part of me wishes I was there competing ... (laughs) ... and I think they would have a better chance. I'm just kidding. That makes me sound cocky and I'm really not. But it's hard every four years; you always want to go back and experience that feeling one more time. You work for so long just to experience that five seconds up on that podium. It's difficult but at the same time it's exciting. I feel the same way I did when I was a little kid, waiting for the Olympics to start and see who was going to win -- to see who is going to be America's new sweetheart.
