Reader Q&A: 3/25/2003 Betty Okino

Hello. My name is Katie Jones, and I am a senior at Valparaiso University. For my senior seminar class, we are reading Little Girls in Pretty Boxes. I was looking on the internet at some of the names in the book and I came across yours. I looked it up online and subsequently found your article in response to the book. I was wondering if you would be interested in sharing with me any more of your opinions about the book and the world of gymnastics. I am a cheerleader and by default do some tumbling. I grew up loving gymnastics and wanting to be Mary Lou Retton (just like every other girl my age). I would love to hear what you have to say. I understand that you probably have a large mail load, but whenever you get a chance, I would love to hear from you. Thank you so much.

Katie Jones

BETTY RESPONDS: Hello Katie. Thanks for the e-mail. I am always interested in sharing my opinions on “Little Girls in Pretty Boxes” and the world of gymnastics. I appreciate your inquiry. If my calculations are correct, you should be on spring break now. Hope you’re having some fun!

Joan Ryan wrote the book during a time when Bela Karolyi and women’s gymnastics were under a tremendous amount of scrutiny. In 1990 the U.S. women’s gymnastics team, lead by Bela, re-emerged as a major force within the sport. Bela Karolyi is the most successful coach the sport of gymnastics has ever seen. Success attracts scrutiny; "Little Girls in Pretty Boxes" was a product of that. In every elite gymnast, there is a hidden warrior, strong and driven. To someone who knows nothing of being an athlete, the reality is intimidating, and doesn’t make sense. In comes Joan Ryan, who chose to summarize elite gymnastics as debilitating and abusive. In writing the book, Ryan chose the downside to each story as her focal point. To every yin there is a yang, and to accurately sum up the world of gymnastics you need both...and maybe just a small idea of what it means to be an athlete.

Every four years, millions of people are glued to their televisions anticipating the mini-series known as the Olympic Games. Like characters in an unfinished script, gymnasts from around the globe grace the small screen. For many, the Olympic Games spell the final chapter in their journey. The media packaged event paints a pretty picture, the perfect fairytale; which is exactly the reason millions tune in for two weeks every four years. Unbeknownst to most people are the struggles with injury, and the grueling hours of work that paved the way for every single athlete. It makes perfect sense that the general public is taken aback when they learn what being an elite athlete truly entails. Gymnastics is not the only sport in which young athletes seemingly push their bodies beyond capacity. The lengths an athlete (or for that matter, any success-oriented individual) will go to make their dreams a reality knows no age or gender. The mind and body can, and will, do amazing things when driven. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. No matter how far your dream takes you, what you learn along the way is priceless.

My journey taught me to always dream big, and never be afraid to spread my wings, and fly. Turn every road block into a stepping stone, and you will pave a solid path for dreams to flourish. Most importantly, I learned that nothing great is easily accomplished. Ponder, reflect, and hopefully, be inspired.

I bid you farewell, with wishes of love and happiness.

Betty

E-MAIL BETTY

More than just a fan,

C.R.Robinson

BETTY RESPONDS: Hello C.R.! Thank you for the e-mail, and for noticing that I'm in, "considerable shape."

Yes, I do still work out; however my workouts don't even scratch the surface of being as intense as when I was competing. Workouts consist of running, hiking, yoga, light weightlifting, and any outdoor sport. I like to have fun while keeping my body in shape. As far as the abs go, I think most all retired gymnasts have a leg up. Muscle memory is an amazing thing.

I hope I've answered all your questions. Feel free to e-mail any time you have more.

P.S. A quote for you to ponder; "Some people see things and say,'Why?' But I dream things that never were, and I say, 'Why not?'" - George Bernard Shaw

Take care. ~ Betty
03/12/04

o my gosh betty this is exciting if this even goes 2 u. i am doin a report of u in my integrated language arts class. i use 2 b a gymnast i started at the age of 2 and now i am 12 but i quit at 11 but i regret it but it is soooo hard on yur body. that is kinda y i quit. i went 2 a state meet in michigan and there were 86 people in my age group i got 9th on beam with a 9.0 2nd on vault with a 8.45 and 14th AA. i was excited but now that i think of it i dont think it is that good but yea. it has been my dream 2 meet bela karolyi. what was it like having him as your trainer? i know he is really tough cuz i whatch gymnastics all the time!!! i think i might join back and go back into gymnastics cuz i miss it. i have always wanted 2 b on tv but my dream will neva come tru. all my friends think i should go on american idol and sing but i think i am 2 young and i think that i am not good enough but yea. well if this is u yur prolly really bored hearing me talk a lot so i will stop. talk 2 ya later i hope i can meet u someday but i doubt it but i have 2 think positive so bye hope 2 c u someday!!!!!!

BETTY RESPONDS: Hey Anna! Thanks for the e-mail. I just want to start by saying, you are 12 yrs. old with a world of accompolishments ahead of you. You should never be afraid to dream big. Believe in yourself and the power of your dreams, they will come true. I believed that I was going to be an Olympian, even when nobody else did. I kept on believing, worked hard, and never stopped dreaming. My dream finally came true.

You and I are the same; we're both human beings. If I can make my dreams come true, so can you. Remember that.

You wanted to know what Bela Karolyi was like. Lets just say, he was crazy tough. Bela is a perfectionist. "All work, no rest" was his motto. When Bela said "good job," you would know the routine was almost perfect. He is a passionate and enthusiastic man, and the greatest coach to ever grace the sport of gymnastics. Looking back on my experiences, I'm greatful to have been coached by him.

E-mail me if you have any more question, or if you need a pep talk.

Take care. ~ Betty
03/12/04

Okino Archive

Betty Okino Gymnast, Actress 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) 2002: Inducted into the U.S.A. Gymnastics Hall of Fame (left). Film: Creature Unknown (2003) TV: The District, The Andy Dick Show, Moesha, Nikki, Undressed, Popular.