Broken ankle? Chellsie Memmel lands on it

BEIJING -- Chellsie Memmel's injured ankle, which she hurt at practice Aug. 3 and kept her from competing in any events in Beijing except the uneven bars, has a small break.

Jeanelle Memmel, Chellsie's mother, said her daughter never considered withdrawing from the Olympics. Memmel finished the 2006 world championships with a shoulder tear that ultimately required surgery and kept her from making the 2007 world championship team.

"I was completely fine (with Chellsie competing) because at the '06 worlds she finished with her shoulder completely torn. That's just what she does for the team. A little broken ankle wasn't going to stop her. This is the Olympics. She could have done more if the team asked her. How many people can say they have an Olympic medal? Not many. Of course, it would have been good to get the gold but we're all thrilled with the silver."

-- Diane Pucin

Photo: American gymnast Chellsie Memmel competes in the women's gymnastics team competition Wednedsay in Beijing, helping the U.S. take the silver medal. Credit: Harry How / Getty Images

Comments

[MemmelFan]

Marta should have let her compete more. Chellsie deserved it and so did the team.