Swimming legend helps trampoline prodigy
28/10/2009 An Olympic swimming legend has been giving tips to one of Canada's new generation of athletes.
Elaine Tanner, who took three medals in at the 1968 Olympics, has been helping a new trampoline prodigy Tamara O'Brien.
Tanner told theprovince.com that she has spotted the same determination which she showed in O'Brien, the high-flying gymnast and trampoline athlete.
The two met at Coquitlam's Como Lake Middle School, where 12-year-old Tamara studies and is preparing for the World Trampoline Championships next month.
"I see a lot of myself in you. When I saw your video, I was amazed. I know you are so talented. I would be proud to have you follow in my footsteps," she told O'Brien.
Tamara told the news provider that it was "pretty cool" working with an Olympian.
The two both started as gymnasts at an early age as their parents could not keep them from climbing all over everything in sight.
Nicknamed Mighty Mouse due to her small physique, Tanner amazed the sporting press when she took two gold medals and set two US records at the US National Championships aged just 15 and without a coach.
Elaine Tanner, who took three medals in at the 1968 Olympics, has been helping a new trampoline prodigy Tamara O'Brien.
Tanner told theprovince.com that she has spotted the same determination which she showed in O'Brien, the high-flying gymnast and trampoline athlete.
The two met at Coquitlam's Como Lake Middle School, where 12-year-old Tamara studies and is preparing for the World Trampoline Championships next month.
"I see a lot of myself in you. When I saw your video, I was amazed. I know you are so talented. I would be proud to have you follow in my footsteps," she told O'Brien.
Tamara told the news provider that it was "pretty cool" working with an Olympian.
The two both started as gymnasts at an early age as their parents could not keep them from climbing all over everything in sight.
Nicknamed Mighty Mouse due to her small physique, Tanner amazed the sporting press when she took two gold medals and set two US records at the US National Championships aged just 15 and without a coach.
