Tears, jubilation as Mohini makes US Olympics squad

The days of penury and worry are over for 25-year-old gymnast Mohini Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj8217;s amazing comeback from injury and hibernation ...

The days of penury and worry are over for 25-year-old gymnast Mohini Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj8217;s amazing comeback from injury and hibernation 8212; after she failed to get through in the 1996 Olympic team trials and got injured in 2002 and retired for a year 8212; culminated in tears of joy and jubilation in New Waverly, Texas, on Sunday, when she was named one of six members to the Athens-bound US women8217;s gymnastics team, that is expected to grab the gold medal.

Telecast live on national television, Bhardwaj8217;s name was announced fifth in the list of six members by team coach Marta Karolyi. A total of 13 gymnasts vied for the spots. It brought instant tears to the eyes of the 11-time All-American at UCLA, and it was tough for her to control her emotions as she exchanged hugs with her teammates.

The other Indian American hope for the Athens Olympics, Raj Bhavsar, failed to make the men8217;s gymnasts team. He was, however, selected as one of two alternates, to replace any team member who gets injured.

Bhardwaj, who turns 26 on September 29, seemed awe-struck by her success that has come after a year8217;s training; chock full of memories of balancing her training between trying to get a double degree in history and sociology from UCLA, a job as a waitress at a cocktail bar and a pizza parlour to help pay bills, and juggling between depression and financial debt, that threatened to snuff out her Olympic dreams even before it took on a serious note.

8216;8216;All these girls have been working for this for four years. I8217;ve been working for it for 12,8217;8217; said Bhardwaj, looking radiant afterwards. 8216;8216;I8217;m a little bit on cloud nine and ready to train hard and go to Athens.8217;8217;

Bhardwaj still has to prove herself in Athens. Because of a change in the scoring format, every spot on the team is now critical. Unlike previous Olympics, where five or six gymnasts competed on each event and the lowest score was thrown out, only three gymnasts will do each event and every score will count.

But, 8216;8216;the girls who made it proved they can perform under any conditions,8217;8217; Karolyi said after she announced the six names. And Bhardwaj can easily understand that statement. She seems to thrive as conditions become tougher.