Jaycie Phelps, a member of the "Magnificent Seven," was one of the top gymnasts in the United States during her time. A member of three World Championships teams in addition to the 1996 Olympic Games, Jaycie was known as a graceful, poised, and talented performer. Her beautiful form and composure gained her admiration and attention from fans and judges alike throughout the mid-1990s. Her floor routine to "The Race" was a fan favorite in the Georgia Dome.

     Like most Olympians, Jaycie began her career as a toddler. She quickly rose up the levels of the sport and had to move to Arizona to train at Desert Devils Gymnastics in order to accommodate her talents. As a junior elite, she placed 24th in the all-around and the disappointment nearly led Jaycie to retire. But just one year later in 1994 after a transfer to Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy, she made her first World Championship team and went on to win a silver medal. She also won a bronze medal and qualified to the bar final at the 1995 Worlds, qualified to two event finals at the 1996 Worlds, and was then selected for the Olympic team. Jaycie also earned several medals in the all-around at U.S. Nationals throughout her senior elite career - establishing her as one of the top gymnasts in the sport. In Atlanta, she earned the job of the "lead off gymnast" and delivered solid and steady performances on bars, floor, and vault for the U.S. team. Standing on the medal stand with her teammates as the gold medal was placed on her neck remains one of the best moments of her life.

     When she wasn't training or going to public high school, Jaycie enjoyed normal teenage things - swimming, shopping, going to movies with friends, and watching various soap operas that her mother would tape for her during the day! After the Olympic Games, her life was forever changed! She was featured on the Wheaties box, given awards by the governors of Indiana and Ohio, and the street where her high school is located was named Jaycie Phelps Drive. The day of August 30, 1996 was declared as "Jaycie Phelps Day" by the town of Colerain Township. She went on tour with her Olympic teammates and retired in 1997 due to numerous knee injuries over the course of her career.

     In November 1999, Jaycie decided to make a comeback to the sport and competed for the first time at the 2000 U.S. Classic. She qualified to the US Nationals but withdrew after the first day of competition. She recently married 2004 Olympian Brett McClure in Hawaii on February 10, 2005. Her Atlanta teammate and training partner Amanda Borden was even in her wedding!

     Jaycie now contributes columns to Inside Gymnastics magazine and coaches at the elite level at Colorado Aerials. She previously coached at Desert Devils while attending Arizona State University after the Olympics.

Birthday: September 26, 1979
Birthplace: Greenfield, Indiana
Began Gymnastics: age four
Family: parents Jack and Cheryl, older brother Dennis, dog Cede
Coach/Gym: Mary Lee Tracy at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy
The Phelps: 1/2 on - 1/2 off front layout
Best Results:
1994 Nationals - 6th AA, 5th UB, 5th BB, 5th FX
1994 Worlds - 2nd Team
1994 Nationals - 3rd AA. 5th V, 4th BB, 6th FX
1995 Worlds - 3rd Team, 8th UB
1996 Worlds - 8th UB, 7th BB
1996 Nationals - 2nd AA
1996 Olympics - 1st Team, 17th AA (Prelims)

Photos © Associated Press

VT: the Phelps; UB: straddled Jaeger + overshoot, giant 1 1/2 to mixed grip + giant 1/2 + Tkatchev, double front 1/2 out; BB: punch front mount, flip flop + 3 layout stepouts, Valdez + double stag; punch front, 2 flip flops + double tuck; FX: cat leap 2/1, double front, front full + front layout, tucked full-in