Video: Two Fathers Coach their Daughters Toward their Olympic Dreams
May 9th, 2009 by Robert Franklin, Esq.Two or America's top female gymnasts are coached by their fathers. Nastia Liukin, whose father Valeri was a Soviet olympian, is one and Chelsea Memmel of Wisconsin is the other. Both devote long hours to their daughters' training in addition to their other duties as parent and breadwinner. Both offer their daughters the special trust and guidance only a parent can provide, in helping the young women pursue one of the most difficult to reach goals in the world - an olympic medal.
Nastia values her father's coaching because, while he might be tougher on her than a regular coach, it's because he's attuned to her goal which is to be the world's best. Chelsea's dad emphasizes his protective role that requires him to know when to stop, when it's time to forego that next vault. In everything he does as a coach, his love for her as his daughter comes first.
Watch and listen here.
Thanks to Maximillian for the heads-up.
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May 9th, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I had a father who got me into sport as well. From my perspective, it is so beneficial for females. Most boys already participate in sports of some kind. Girls who participate, in team sports especially, learn that they are strong, capable, not always right, that sometimes you win and sometimes you lose, that they are in control of their bodies and minds, how to work with others, and many other valuable lessons. As an adult, I am still in a competitive womens league. When a women feels empowered through sport (or probably in any pursuit) they are less likely to fall victim to the feminist ideas that they are poor, weak, silly little girls, who need special treatment in order to be "equal" with men.
May 10th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Apologies for being silly , but it's nice to hear of one Chelsea where Roman Abramovich can't sack the coach....