Young Roanoke Valley athletes have ambitious targets

Roanoke, Virginia – Halfway into the Olympics, Team USA has already claimed some impressive victories. The world loves to see the finest of the best compete in sports like gymnastics and swimming, especially young athletes.

Megan McMillan, a 9-year-old gymnast, adores being in the air and aspires to reach the stars.
McMillan advised, “Be among the best.” “My goal is to reach the level at which some of the best gymnasts currently compete.”

Several hundred young athletes practice at Roanoke Academy of Gymnastics, including McMillan. She’s got her sights set on this year’s Olympics and well-known competitors like Simone Biles when she’s not practicing.

McMillan stated, “She’s so good you just can’t believe how good she is until you watch her.”

The group undergoes intense training between the ages of nine and nineteen.

Victoria Cave is a supporter of Team USA and a member of a New York University gymnastics team.

“Many people say that you’re too old and your body can’t handle it once you graduate from high school and college,” Cave remarked. “Watching older girls still perform these incredible skills safely and competitively to the best of their abilities is really inspiring.”

The pool is next to the gym. For swimmers on the Salem Family YMCA’s Riptides Swim Team, the dream is the same.

Swimmer Eva Stephenson stated, “I love hanging out with my friends, racing, and team environments.” “It’s just a lot of fun,”

According to the coach, during an Olympic year, their swim team’s enrollment increases by roughly 10–20%.

Swimmer Izzy Supanich declared, “I want to be in the Olympics and kind of be like the next Katie Ledecky.”