I want to bring some joy to this thread by sharing TSL's interview (just Dave) with Kathy Johnson Clarke! The interview was put up on March 29, 2020. I am not a fan of TSL, except for their interviews, and this one is probably my favorite they've EVER done. It's 2.5 hours long and it's all FABULOUS!!!!!
Of course, it's Kathy Johnson Clarke, so would you expect anything less? This is a joy-filled interview, but serious topics are covered, such as her injuries, her eating disorder, mental and emotional struggles, why abuse is so damaging to both those harmed and everyone else, and a trip to South Africa during apartheid where the gymnasts were paraded around and treated like royalty, used to show support for the government. Kathy was 16 and just happy to have made the national team, but looking back, she would not have gone had she known in 1976 what she knows now. There was a moment where she saw how poor some of the living conditions were, but they tried to get them to look away. She also speaks about the boycott in 1980. She talks through her whole career, pretty much.
The interview has something for everyone and I think it should be required viewing for all gymnasts, coaches, parents, and fans. Frankly, it inspires me to be a better person in my everyday life. Kathy is so eloquent and real at the same time. She shares so many good stories, and what a storyteller she is.
Tai Babilonia tweeted about the interview and said to get tissues for the last 10 minutes, but I was crying way before that!
Watch this amazing interview!
Emotional highlights include:
- ’83 Worlds EF drama (with a heart to heart in the middle)
- '83 Worlds Aftermath (heartbreaking and yet extremely relatable to me)
- How she explained leaving for SCATS to her Atlanta team (the final push to '84)
- Shaposhnikova’s compliment of her gymnastics, years later
- How she recovered from Compulsory Bars at ‘84 Olympic Trials, where she scored a 7.9
- She chalked someone’s bars at ’80 Olympic Trials and got the sweetest thank-you note afterward
- Her whole experience in the ’84 Olympics AA (where she fell on beam and floor), going to beam finals, flashing back in her mind to age 12. She stuck her dismount and said, “That’s the feeling I wanted.”
- How she viewed and took on her role as team captain
Educational highlights include:
- How the equipment changed over the years, especially bars and floor
- Proper roundoff back handspring technique (a la Simone) and why it is important
- Why we see so many injuries in college
- Cast handstand issues; grips and stuff
- Gymnasts used to make ZERO money, but they could receive cars from sponsors
- When she did college gymnastics for 2 years, there were 4 gymnasts on the team and they always competed 4-up, 4-count.
) and the progress she has made is really remarkable. she recently swung bars and did vault for the first time in 8 years. her muscle memory is really something. 
