Topic: Shannon Miller

Miller in March 2008

Shannon Lee Miller (born March 10, 1977 in Rolla, Missouri, United States) is a former artistic gymnast from Edmond, Oklahoma. She is one of the most decorated gymnasts in U.S. History, and considered one of the greatest gymnasts the United States has ever produced. Miller was the 1993 and 1994 World All-Around Champion, the 1996 Olympics balance beam gold medalist, the 1995 Pan Am Games all-around champion, and a member of the gold medal-winning Magnificent 7 team at the Atlanta Olympics. The winner of a combined total of 16 World Championships and Olympic medals between 1991 and 1996, Miller ranks as the most decorated gymnast, male or female, in U.S. history. Miller was also the most successful American athlete, by medal count, at the 1992 Barcelona Games, winning 5 altogether.

Miller was born in Rolla, Missouri, but she and her family moved to Edmond, Oklahoma when she was only six months old. Miller began gymnastics at age five, and four years later, she and her mother traveled to Moscow, Russia to participate in a gymnastics camp. The Soviet coaches were astounded by her talent and believed that she had the potential to be a world-class elite gymnast. She also met Oklahoma-based coach Steve Nunno in Russia, and began training with him upon returning home.