Gilbert athlete hopes to get his shot at London Games
Jul 27, 2012, 7:19 AM | Updated: 7:21 am
PHOENIX —
A Gilbert athlete is in London as an alternate for the U.S. Olympic men’s gymnastics team.
Alex Naddour, 21, is the first of three alternates who will be called to perform if a team member gets injured.
His assistant coach, Paris Bland, said gymnastics is his top priority.
“Alex is extremely dedicated,” he said. “He’s really pursued excellence as an athlete ever since he was a little kid.”
Naddour is one of the top eight gymnasts in the country. He’s known for giving pointers to younger athletes at the USA Youth Fitness Center in Gilbert, where he trains.
Bland said we may see Naddour in the next Olympics, should he not be needed in the current Games.
“He’s definitely put gymnastics ahead of everything else in his life to help him get as far as he can go,” said Bland.
Naddour was a two-time NCAA pommel-horse champion for the University of Oklahoma.
