Kim Kelly (USA)
1988 US Nationals: 17th AA
1988 US Olympic Trials: 16th AA
1989 US Nationals: 13th AA, 3rd V
1989 World Championships: 4th Team
1990 Tokyo Cup: 6th V
1990 Chunichi Cup: 19th AA
1990 US Olympic Cup: 3rd AA, 1st BB
1990 USA vs. GDR: 6th AA, 2nd V, 3rd FX
1990 Cottbus Cup: 22nd AA
1990 International Mixed Pairs: 3rd AA (with Tom
Schlesinger)
1990 International Mixed Pairs: 10th AA (with Korea's Joo
Hyung Lee)
1990 US Nationals: 6th AA, 4th V, 3rd FX
1991 USA vs. ROM: 2nd Team
1991 US Nationals: 4th AA, 5th V, 3rd FX
1992 US Nationals: 6th AA, 3rd V, 5th BB, 5th FX
1992 US Olympic Trials: 6th AA
Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kim Kelly was
able to live and train in her home state during her lenghty elite
career at Parkettes. While never a standout or media darling of
the US team, Kim consistently performed well in national and
international competitions and was one of few elites of her time
to remain relatively injury-free. Kim began her five year stay on
the US Senior National Team in 1988 and remained a stong
contributor to the US Team until her retirement from elite
gymnastics in 1992.
In 1988, Kim was the youngest competitor at the
Olympic Trials and her sixteenth place finish was not enough to
allow her a spot on the team. In 1992, Kim was one of the oldest
competitors at the Olympic Trials, and her 6th place finish
placed her on the team...at least for a short time. Perhaps known
as one of the most controversial selection procedures in US
gymnastics history, Kim Kelly was left off the 1992 Olympic Team
after a second closed-door Olympic Trials. Although she
had been named to the team at the trials, after the second trials
the Olympic coaches decided to drop her from the team in favour
of two injured gymnasts - Betty Okino (with several
fractured vertebrae Betty would compete in Kim's place) and Michelle Campi (after
suffering a second injury during the USA's pre-Olympic training
sessions in France, Michelle was named the official alternate).
Kim went to the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona only as a spectator.
While many gymnasts may have allowed such a
situation to end their gymnastics career, Kim remained relatively
positive. She accepted a scholarship at the University of
Alabama, earning a 10.0 on vault at her final collegiate
competition. After graduation, Kim married and served as the
Director of Gymnastics at Cullman Parks and Recreation in
Alabama. Although no longer in the same position, Kim is still
coaching in Alabama.
Kim Kelly was born on August 19, 1973
. This page was created on
September 16, 1999 and last updated on December 22, 1999.
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