2004 Olympics: Gymnastics

Olympic athletes' hectic life continues with 38-city national tour

12:02 AM CDT on Saturday, September 4, 2004

By DAVID HINOJOSA / The Dallas Morning News

FRISCO – When Mohini Bhardwaj returned from Athens last week, she discovered that her cat made a mess of her Los Angeles apartment and that her electricity was cut off.

That's the downside of being gone for a month.

But there was much more upside. Bhardwaj, 25, not only earned a silver medal as part of the U.S. women's gymnastics team, but she got engaged as well. That's not a bad payoff for someone who took a chance on making her Olympic dreams come true. She never doubted herself.

"I wouldn't have put my life off for another year if I didn't think I could do it," Bhardwaj said. "It was hard. I was struggling to pay the rent. It was a good ending to a pretty good story."

Now, Bhardwaj is reaping the rewards. Before she finishes work on her double major of history and sociology at UCLA, Bhardwaj will join the rest of her teammates on the T.J. Maxx Tour of Champions. Rehearsals for the tour began Friday at Kurt Thomas Gymnastics. All six members of the women's team, including all-around gold medalist Carly Patterson of Allen, are on the tour, as well as five members of the men's silver medal-winning team – all-around gold medalist Paul Hamm is not. The 38-city tour begins Sept. 15 in Tallahassee, Fla., and ends Nov. 21 at American Airlines Center in Dallas.

Bhardwaj returned for one last chance to make the Olympic team after she finished 10th at the 1996 Olympic Trials. Bhardwaj went on to a distinguished career at UCLA before working her way back onto the national team's radar screen this year. Actress Pamela Anderson helped fund her comeback.

"It worked out so well," Bhardwaj said. "It made the sacrifices worth it."

Since returning home from Athens last week, the women's team has been ushered all over the country. Most of them are surviving on a few hours of sleep per night. Dallas-area rehearsals conclude Sunday. The athletes will fly to their hometowns that evening and reconvene in Tallahassee on Sept. 9 for more rehearsals.

"It's been crazy," Annia Hatch said. "I've done so many interviews. I can't remember who I've talked to. But it's not that bad. It could be worse."

Patterson has become a national darling since winning the all-around gold. She put in appearances on MTV's Video Music Awards, David Letterman, Jay Leno and Ellen DeGeneres on consecutive days this week. Her gym, Plano's World Olympic Gymnastics Academy, threw a party for her Thursday at the Plano Centre, and the City of Allen is having a parade for her today.

"Things have been hectic," Patterson said. "I knew it was going to be after I won the gold medal. It's been fun, but I'm gonna crash soon."