OlderWed, 20 August 2008 at 11:15 pm
Shawn Johnson is Gold Glorious
USA gymnast Shawn Johnson came up big on the balance beam and won gold at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing on Tuesday. Her score of 16.225 bested teammate Nastia Liukin who scored 16.025. Cheng Fei of China came in third at 15.95.
The U.S. and China came away as the top two performing countries in women’s gymnastics at this year’s Olympics.
Also pictured below is Nastia Liukin winning her gold medal in the women’s all-around competition last week. Did you know she’s only 5′3″? Her legs make her seem way taller!
FYI: Shawn Johnson is technically a dwarf, coming in at 4′9″ (4′10″ or shorter is the standard).
10+ pictures of Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin getting gold glorious…
Share This Post:
108 Comments
woo
I hope you know that “midget” is offensive. My parents are little people and calling them “midget” is the same as calling a black person a ‘n*gger’.
Call her a little person or a dwarf.
Congrats!!
I love her she’s a cutie pie!!
I love her too!!!
how old si she??
Btw, I agree with #2. Also, Shawn’s only 16… she’s still got time to grow.
Shawn does not lok like a midget or dwarf ! she does not have the abnormal body look! leave her alone .
lol I love Nastia!!!!!!!!
LOVE shawn johnson! she’s so adorable! & i’m a total nastia fan too =]
well jared said “technically”. it’s not that he’s calling her a midget himself.
shes so cute & adorable!
im so glad she finally got a gold. she deserved more though.
“Technically” she is a little person or a dwarf.
Midget IS an offensive slur.
“Technically” she should still be in a car seat too.
But i love her & i’m glad she won gold, FINALLY!!
Congrats Shawn she deserves it.Nastia is great also :)
Go USA!!
I love Nastia Liukin too! She was really good.
they r sooooooo beautiful!
shawn is so sweet
Like others have said, “midget” is an offensive term. Even if Jared added “technically”, he still used the word and it’s still offensive.
love them! :)
im so proud of this girl
and seriously justjared,’
why would u call her a dwarf?
if she was one she wouldnt even participate at Olympics!
i mean isnt it kinda rude?
shes doing the best for usa..she worked her ass off..
and TMZ.COM called her and compared her to a rat
i mean WTFF..
just leave her alone
Thanks for the Shawn & Nastia post, Jared. :-)
Congrats, Shawn and Nastia! You both deserved gold medals not only for your gorgeous routines but your gracious spirits.
“…perhaps nothing at these Games will be more precious than that one moment, when we all caught a glimpse of a young woman whose gifts stretch well beyond the world of sport.” - Mark Sappenfield on Shawn Johnson
“I would never trade one of my silvers for gold,” she insisted. “What I went through to get them is very special to me and really touched my heart.” - Shawn Johnson on her silver medals
I think Lil Kim is a dwarf too
Finally! I much prefer the short powerhouse type gymnasts as opposed to the lean “graceful” ones. I was rooting for Johnson all the way, how could you not with that sweet smile on her face that she has all the live long day?? And those calling her a midget or abnormal, ******* please, she could probably lift your fat ass with her legs while doing a handstand!!
# 24 Elaine @ 08/21/2008 at 12:14 am And those calling her a midget or abnormal, ******* please, she could probably lift your fat ass with her legs while doing a handstand!!
_________________
now that is something i’d pay to see.
love them both!
Finally! I much prefer the short powerhouse type gymnasts as opposed to the lean “graceful” ones. I was rooting for Johnson all the way, how could you not with that sweet smile on her face that she has all the live long day?? And those calling her a midget or abnormal, ******* please, she could probably lift your fat ass with her legs while doing a handstand!!
Jared needs to look up dwarfism - it’s a medical condition concerning hormones, not a HEIGHT thing. Height is just a symptom of dwarfism. If she was a dwarf her body would not be proportional along with other medical problems which clearly she does not have. Jeesh! Study up!!
Finally! I much prefer the short powerhouse type gymnasts as opposed to the lean “graceful” ones. I was rooting for Johnson all the way, how could you not with that sweet smile on her face that she has all the live long day?? And those calling her a midget or abnormal, ******* please, she could probably lift your fat ass with her legs while doing a handstand!!
Jared needs to look up dwarfism - it’s a medical condition concerning hormones, not a HEIGHT thing. Height is just a symptom of dwarfism. If she was a dwarf her body would not be proportional along with other medical problems which clearly she does not have. Jeesh! Look up from your people magazine once in a while and study up Jared!!
I wish Nastia had won. She’s far more graceful. Nastia got robbed of her medal on the uneven bars,
sorry didn’t mean to post multiple comments….oops. damn internet wouldn’t let me finish!! ;p
love them both! glad that they each got a gold medal!
He just stated that she qualifies as a dwarf at that height. Why is it rude to point out someone technically is a dwarf? There’s nothing wrong with being a dwarf.
i LOVE shawn johnsoon..
SHE’S THE BEST GYMNIST IN THE WHOLE WORLD!!!
and her smilee.. awww.. soo sweet.. ♥
Love them both. Shawn is just adorable. I had no idea she is only 4′9″. Nastia definitely looks taller than she is too. Congrats to both ladies!! You deserve your success.
I love Nastia gymnastics run in her blood, father was a Soviet gold medalist, SHe is so gracefully, I prefer that so much more than the stocky looking girls
They are both great. And Nastia is also 2 years older then Shawn. Bringing up Shawn’s height is just rude! It has nothign to do with her winning medals or bing a great gymnast. There were girls there shorter then Shawn.
elise: it’s not rude to call someone a dwarf - it is rude to say that she is one when “technically” she is not. Dwarfism is a medical condition that’s very serious, their short stature is just one symptom of that condition. To say that Shawn is a dwarf just because she is small is like saying that people in the NBA have gigantism because they happen to be taller than the norm.
i like nastia and shawn a lot. it’s great to see that they are very, very good friends. so, there’s no need to pit them against each other. it’s wonderful that they can cheer each other on.
i’m especially fond of shawn because of how she has carried herself at the olympics. she’s such a good sportsman, and i love how she acknowledges the performances of her fellow competitors. i also love how she is friendly with other gymnasts despite the language barrier. and those gymnasts & their coaches return the same kind of respect. i.e. when she finished her beam routine, chang fei and her coaches came up to hug her. initially, shawn had been the one to start the hugs; her attitude and actions were clearly infectious. i’m just so in awe at her level of maturity. she’s a great representative for the u.s.a., especially because her actions promote racial harmony. you can just tell how much she has been enjoying the olympics.
i like nastia and shawn a lot. it’s great to see that they are very, very good friends. so, there’s no need to pit them against each other. it’s wonderful that they can cheer each other on.
i’m especially fond of shawn because of how she has carried herself at the olympics. she’s such a good sportsman, and i love how she acknowledges the performances of her fellow competitors. i also love how she is friendly with other gymnasts despite the language barrier. and those gymnasts & their coaches return the same kind of respect. i.e. when she finished her beam routine, chang fei and her coaches came up to hug her. initially, shawn had been the one to start the hugs; her attitude and actions were clearly infectious. i’m just so in awe at her level of maturity. she’s a great representative for the u.s.a., especially because her actions promote racial harmony. you can just tell how much she has been enjoying the olympics.
actually jared is correct when saying shawn is technically a dwarf because legally because of her height she is. all people under 4′10 are considered dwarfs. she may not have the body type of whats considered the “normal” dwarfs but she is legally a dwarf i would know, im 4′9 as well
Im so glad shawn won, she deserved it…she came close in others but she was still super happy with silver. she has such good sportsmanship and she has that million dollar smile. (:
Love Shawn all the way. She’s so cute and adorable. Plus, her routines are amazing and she’s awesome there at Beijing. Looking forward to see her in London 2012. I can see a great and bright career ahead of her. Congratuations to both Shawn and Nastia. Go USA!!!
http://voguebeauty.blogspot.com/
finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
omg i love her!!
she is so cute…i was sooo excited when she won; i was watching the entire time, rooting for her
and it was so emotional to see her parents bawling and embracing each other; so touching…
She definately deserved to win: hope to see her in the London Olympics!
GO SHAWN!! :D
Jared thanks for posting about Shawn and Nastia. it would be awsome if you would start posting more stuff on them and also Alicia Sacramone and Jonathan Horton. i know everyone would love for you to post stuff about these awsome gymnasts
I love Nastia !!! She’s and Shawn are the best.
That’s not very nice calling Shawn Johnson a dwarf, Jared!
She’s more like a chipmunk! :)
congrats to the u.s. team
i wouldn’t say i’m a nastia liukin fan, but i am definitely a shawn johnson fan! she’s so cute!!
I’m pretty sure they haven’t stopped -all- their growing yet.
love them
also love Cheng fei
I am SO happy Shawn Johnson finally got her gold medal!
I feel that Shawn & Nastia were both robbed on different events and it was unfair that they didn’t win more gold medals.
They are both amazing gymnasts & i hope to see them is 2012 : )
As a no american, the only american sportist I like and makes me happy when she goes very well is Shaw Johnson she is always adorable and very pleasent with press but with others who are in competition with her.
The Americans are getting soundly beaten by the Chinese in the gold medal tally by a long way.
Each country compiles their medal tally by how many GOLD
medals won.
The U.S is the ONLY country that compiles the list by medals overall,
because they can’t stand the fact they are getting beaten.
SORE LOSERS!!!!!!
Love Shawn and Nastia. They’re simply wonderful.
The olympics is a great way to forget about racial and ethnic differences and instead embrace world harmony.
#53, you sound like you’re the sour grapes if you’re bringing up something as trivial and negative as your thoughts. But heck, opinions are like a$$h0les, everyone has one, so, you’re entitled to yours, even if it is asinine.
for those of you saying you like Nastia over Shawn because “gracefulness” is better than “stockiness” gymnastics…what the hell people?! i’m not gonna rip on Nastia- she IS a great gymnast, but let’s be honest and real here and compare the true values: sportsmanship, technicalities, difficulties, and execution style.
critics say the balance beam is the best test of a gymnast’s preparedness in physicality and style…so all i’m saying is y’all better replay them youtube clips!!!
One last thing. Despite all the controversies that have surrounded the games and China, many of the athletes should be proud, as they have displayed great sportsmanship. Not all of them may have, but at least, the majority had been admirably graceful with their losses.
lanie, i totally agree.
I LOVE SHAWN JOHNSON!
congratulations, you deserve everything you have achieved and more!
i was rooting for you in the all-around, but your grace and and honest pride for your silver and nastia’s gold only made me more proud and honored to say that i am an American:]
CONGRATULATIONS SHAWN!!!!!
I LOVE SHAWN JOHNSON!
congratulations, you deserve everything you have achieved and more!
i was rooting for you in the all-around, but your grace and and honest pride for your silver and nastia’s gold only made me more proud and honored to say that i am an American:]
CONGRATULATIONS SHAWN!!!!!
I love Shawn. She’s definitely got a great attitude. I was a little annoyed by Nastia’s pouting and the way she crossed her arms like a petulant little girl when the Chinese girl won gold. Even if she was rightfully upset … she needs to control that and not make it so obvious. It’s hard to do, but it made her look like a spoiled child and that’s never a good image.
Shawn, on the other hand, seems to be an all around good sport. She’s a compact little firecracker who is all muscle and grin and I really did like watching her. She didn’t HAVE to win the gold to be proud of herself. I think Nastia pushes herself and punishes herself too hard. To get a medal at all is an honor and she should have been gracefully sliding into that silver medal the way she gracefully does her routines. Instead she was ungrateful and pulled quite a few dirty looks.
Heightism is the new racism, it’s blatantly obvious and deeply ingrained in today’s American (western) culture, in large part thanks to the media. People get nasty remarks for something they have absolutely no control over, same as skin color. Just look at Hayden Pannettiere, Tom Cruise, …
The Chinese are these days taking it even a few steps further, setting height requirements for jobs.
I love Shawn Johnson
shawn is so much better than liukin!!!!!
dont say liukin is robbed !rediculous !
I love these two gymnasts. So cute in very different ways, but both so talented. Shawn’s smile is just the best.
Also, who said dwarfs can’t be in the Olympics? There’s no rule about that, is there? As long as they qualify, they can join.
HOW OLD IS SHE?
SHE LOOKS 10.
IS she cheating and leiing about her age, look how she looks so young.
sound famliar !
no 1 was robed, they weren’t good enoght, no everyone is looking at thing in amrica clour eyes,
no if we are talking about 2004 and that mn that got the gold madle he didn’t deserve and the silver that should have gone to namov that is a rubary.
atlanta was cheating and bias from the judges-for the us!!!!
that is how everyone so it some cry babies for the us.
Ki, please. I’ll resist parsing your spelling errors, seeing that you are probably a non-English speaker. But for fookin’ sake, grow up!
Up till you yapped, nobody here has brought up the age controversy surrounding the Chinese gymnastics team. Instead, some of us have expressed how happy we are at how despite their language barrier, it is wonderful to see that Shawn and most of the other athletes in the competition can accept defeat with pride and grace while still being able to embrace cultural differences.
I think Shawn is a great example of what the Olympics is all about, that it’s not so much about medals but just being part of the games. Her hugs with fellow competitors says a lot about her character.
And come on, the Olympics has countries being represented by only one or 3 people, and that’s a rather big deal, wouldn’t you say? Those countries may not even garner medals, but so what? At least, they participated. Or how about a South African woman swimming with just one leg?
The point is, the Olympic games is not sticking it to the U.S., even though it is good to know that the U.S. doesn’t always have to be the best. It’s just about the games and win or lose, those athletes would have come away with a great experience.
^^^ Oops, meant to say that the Olympics is not about sticking it to the U.S. It’s too early to be typing.
yayyyyyyyyy she my fav
She’s a great athelete who has obviously dedicated a lot of time and effort into perfecting her talent and the fact that she is a ‘drawf’ is relevant how?
Harlow, don’t bring race into this. If you’re as cultured as you want to come across, you should know that that only stirs up more controversy.
Okay, JustJared’s comments may have offended some, but come on people he’s a blogger! Not in Mensa!!
thats just RUDE calling someone a dwarf!!!!!
well he is a blogger, a gossip blogger where thousands of people visit his site. he is not a normal blogger.
even if its “technically” true what he says about dwarfism, you just dont say that out loud.
what happened to common courtesy and just shutting the help up?
i guess its out of the window.
shame…
i liked this site because there is rarely any bashing and negative stuff about celebrities.
now, im having second thoughts.
THAT’S DISGUSTING — CALLING SOMEONE A DWARF!! WHAT THE HELL DOES HER HEIGHT HAVE TO DO WITH ANYTHING!!! I’M REALLY OFFENDED AND I’M NOT A DWARF!!! I THINK YOU NEED TO APOLOGIZE FOR THAT VERY IGNORANT REMARK!!!
Women stop growing at all around 20 or 21 years old… and “technically” because of their height, ALLI do not know also what effect the gymnastics have in the body of people who practice it for hours since a young age, but the girls at the important tournamets tend to be smaller.
From yahoo:
Svetlana Boguinskaia and Svetlana Khorkina are considered tall for a gymnast and they’re both right around 5′4″. Check out the last link below, Maria Olaru retired because the new code of points was not suited to her height and she’s only 5′3″.
Maybe because this is an sport where shorter people have an advantage, as in basketball long legs and arms are an advantage versus shorter people, even if they were fast.
That’s what I love from theOlympics, there is an sport that fits every body type, you can see long lean women jumping and then small thicker people lifting great weights, the giants at basketball and the skinny guys at marathon or walking long distances.
Congratulations to the winners, such dedication at such young age is incredible, and I still miss when there was a younger age limit, Nadia Comaneci at 14 in Montreal 76 would have been too young to participate, can you imagine?
sorry, I meant and “technically” because of their height, ALL children are “dwarfs” :P . .. continues…
I think Ms. Cullen’s point is this: even though JJ is just a mere blogger, ignorance and insensitivity are inexcusable. The dwarf thing did not have to be highlighted by the FYI afterthought. And yeah, she’s tiny, but really, it seems irrelevant to her performance. Many gymnasts are very petite, and they do eventually catch up later. And not that there’s anything wrong with dwarfs, but “technically,” Shawn is not because like somebody else said, she may be short, but EVERYTHING else about her physical structure would be considered a healthy average girl’s body. Just saying …
I find the term dwarf rather offensive.
yay im so happy her and Nastia got it they’re both realllly pretty (:
Shawn is like 16 and Nastia is like 17 or 18. but congrats on their wins. and 5.3 is not that short and i agree its rude calling her a midget.. anything bellow 5.0 is a midget.. and for height she’s perfectly fine.
Seriously, why would you even bring up the term “dwarf”? Elaine was right that it’s not just a height cut off and frankly, what does it have to do with anything?
Dwarf and Midget are two different things. Shawn is technically a midget, not a dwarf. A midget is in perfect perportion to a normal sized person, only shorter. A Dwarf has a normal size body with short arms and legs , and fingers, PLUS a whole lot of physical problems that need corrective surgery. A midget does not.
Dwarf: a person of abnormally small stature owing to a pathological condition, esp. one suffering from cretinism or some other disease that produces disproportion or deformation of features and limbs.
Midget: An extremely small person who is otherwise normally proportioned.
They look NOTHING alike.
Beth, this “confusion” in terms actually occur in English, in other languages there is only one word for either dwarf or midget, and what disinguishes is the type of condition they have. There is a medical condition of pituitary deficiency where people are shorter and a bit undeveloped, like a very young person, and the people have to get treatment for it. I just think Shawn is short like Dominique Moceanu, even when she grows (she is very young yet), she’ll be a tiny but strong girl.
GOOO SHAWN!! :D
I am SOO happy for both her and Nastia <33 they are AMAZING and they did U.S. gymnastics proud :)
Nastia is an amazing gymnast <3 She’s so different when she is on the podium and off the podium. I love her!
Shawn’s smile is swee t :)
Congrats Both!
the scoring system will be re-evaluated after this Olympics, bringing more emphasis back on Artistry rather than Acrobatics.
Shawn is a great gymnast. I hope she can continue on the training and go to another olympics. Sadly, most of these gymnasts become clinically depressed when their gymnastics career ends, which it always does. Hopefully she can continue on for one more 4 year stretch.
Nastia, is just eh to me. She did pout a lot and made the medal count too important as her goal was to reach or exceed her dad’s medal count. So she didn’t seem to enjoy the olympic experienced that much until she reached that goal.
I do like Shawn’s powerhouse style better than the long lean lines. Go Shawn. I hope she doesn’t grow too much more because her height now is part of what makes her so good.
she’s great.
i’m brazilian and i rooted for her.
Actually you’re wrong, it’s under 4′9 to be legally considered a dwarf, but it’s obvious she wouldn’t be considered a medical dwarf because she has none of the physical appearances attributed to dwarfism. So maybe next time before you go calling a girl a dwarf, one who probably already gets made fun of for being short, a dwarf you should actually know what you’re talking about.
I LOVE HER, SHE IS DO THE BEST FOR AMERICA, GO USA.
ohh please!dont make me laugh!cmo no…americanos tenian q ser!pufff….¬ ¬
i ♥ shawn!!
i saw her wholle performance and she deserved the gold…geez people quit making fun of her size…she’s not that short!
Shawn Johnson is my FAV!!!!I was so happy when she won gold and then her interviews were awesome…i hope to see her in the 2012 olimpics….that’s when i graduate!!
YES! thanks Jared for actually posting on Olympic athletes that DESERVE all the attention the are getting instead of the other crappy celebs that are constantly being posted on here!
I love Shawn and Nastia ! they definitely made history! i was crying when Nastia won that gold medal for the all around and i was so pissed when she got silver but tied with the gold medal winner!
Some of the judging has definitely been wrong in the gymnastics for the Olympics .. But I’m so glad that Shawn and Nastia both got a gold! they for sure deserved it! ..
As a gymnast myself i look up to them they are amazing young role models!
Both Shawn and Nastia are good (great).
you shouldnt be callin shawn a dwarf thats so mean!!! she would not appreciate that! this website sucks!!!!!!!!!!!! who said you have the rite to call her a dwarf? like they said she works so hard. you better appreatiate that. she got a gold medal! she gets a gold medal and all you can say is that she’s a dwarf i mean wtf is up wit that. your the biggest a$$ hole ever! disrespectful!!!!
anyway SHAWN JOHNSON ROCKS!!!! I LOVE YOU SO MUCH AND CONGRATZ
SHAWN JOHNSON ROCKS AND DONT CALL HER A DWARF YOU ASS!
Shawn Johnson is boss. The end.
:)
I love her to death and she’s such a refreshing face in the world of sports. Talk about an amazing role model for teenagers.
Yay for her!!! Shawn Johnson is a very good gymnast, but Nastia Liukin is the more graceful one. I’m just glad she finally got her gold medal because she deserves it!!!!!!!
Nastia is graceful and elegant. Shawn is dynamite and cute. Some of the Chinese girls are underaged skeletons.
I’m very very happy for Shawn and Nastia! they’re both the best gymnasts that I never saw after Nadia Comaneci! ^^
TO HARLOW,
THIS STATEMENT IS HIGHLY RACIST. BEFORE LORD OF THE RING THEY WERE CALLED MIDGETS AND IF YOU WANT TO GO THERE, WE SHOULD SAY IT’S LIKE CALLING WHITE PEOPLE WET DOGS
WOAH JARED.
calling her a dwarf? wtf…
Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin are amazing, no matter their height. especially Shawn’s.
and she is not “techincally a dwarf” shes only 16.
Everyone who is saying nastia was pouting and being a bad sport she worked her whole life for this and has a right to be dissapointed or is the world so pc that athletes cant have emotions anymore. And she was a good sport at the podium and in interviews hasnt complained about the result.
People just nitpick to much
Totally agree with you Rebecca. There is nothing wrong with being/looking disappointed. That doesn’t make one a bad sport. Never judge a book by its cover. Anyways, congrats to both Anastasia and Shawn. So glad to know they’re both good friends. It’s too bad some people always gotta hate on one or the other. Both are amazing! End of story.
YAY for Shawn Johnson!!!!
She deserves all the attention she is getting and is definitely a GREAT role model, unlike Cyrus.
Shawn, I went to see you at Frosted Pink In San Diego. I really want to meet you in person and just take a picture. I am beyond impressed with your AMAZING talent and your beautiful personality is breath taking! Love to Text you. Is it possible? I am a Baseball player and every year I recieve the MVP. Like you that Gymnastics is your life-
Baseball is my life too! I LOVE Funniest home videos :) May God continue to bless your path. Hope to really meet you shawn, have an awesome tour. Would love to recieve a photo signed for my B-day (Oct 17th) That would complete me.
All my best,
Jagger Nicholas
3677 1st ave #102
San Diego , Ca 92103
That is not Shawn it is Nastia
Comment and Share!
E-mail to a Friend or share on Facebook, Twitter, MySpace and more!