NBC Olympics
Most best friends will spend this summer shopping at the mall, watching summer blockbusters at the movies or going to the beach. Kyla Ross and her best friend? Yeah, they’re competing in the Olympics. No big deal, right? This week, Kyla is representing the United States at the 2012 London Olympics! Want to find out more about Kyla? Keep reading!
1. Kyla is best friends with fellow Team USA gymnast McKayla Maroney! They started training together when they were 6 and 7 years old and have been inseparable ever since. They’re each other’s biggest supporters, so you can bet they were ecstatic when they both made the Olympic team. It’s like Make It or Break It, but in real life!
2. At 15 years old, Kyla isn’t just the youngest girl on the women’s gymnastics team; she’s the second-youngest athlete competing for Team USA in any sport. She’s older than swimmer Katie Lecedky by just five months, and they’re 39 years younger than the US’s oldest competing athlete.
3. Just like every other 15-year-old on the planet, Kyla is obsessed with The Hunger Games. It’s her favorite book!
Lionsgate
4. One of Kyla’s biggest strengths, gymnastics-wise, is balance beam – her favorite apparatus. She also soars on the uneven bars, which many consider to be the US’s weakest event, so she’s a seriously important asset to Team USA. At yesterday’s qualifying round in London, she scored a 14.866, the second-highest US score and 11th overall high score on bars (out of 79 women), and a 15.075 on beam, which was the 6th overall high score (out of 83 women). Way to go, Kyla!
5. Athletic excellence runs in her blood. Kyla’s dad, Jason Ross, was a minor league baseball player in the Atlanta Braves organization when she was younger.
NBC Olympics
6. Kyla seriously loves to cook. Her favorite food is Salmon.
NBC Olympics
7. Kyla spends 30-35 hours in the gym every week, but when she’s not training or going to school, she loves to watch Family Guy.
FOX
8. Kyla comes from an awesome mix of ethnicity. Her dad is black and Japanese, while her mom is Filipina and Puerto Rican.
NBC Olympics
9. Kyla’s nickname is Mighty Mouse. The name was given to her by her vault coach at junior national camp because she has so much power and strength.
10. She’s one tough chick! Kyla was the only girl who didn’t cry when the Olympic team was announced at trials in San Jose. She’s known for always being super composed, but still always has a bright smile on her face.
NBC Olympics
Spread the Word
Wow! She’s amazing. I have heard in the news that she has a Filipino blood. Well, if that’s true, I am proud of her. I admire her for being good in gymnastics. Her story is so amazing. Good that she has made it to the London Olympics. I wish her more success as an athlete…..
Thank you!!!!
Looking at her features I knew there’s a filipino blood in her!!!!
i knew she has a Filipina blood.
ha i just saw this one. Ah that makes sense, also makes sense why you speak (type) english so well. Footwork is denlfiteiy key. I have fenced meinhardt, the kid just doesnt miss. Im really fast so i didnt have trouble getting away but once you’re close enough its pretty much over with. Im not a fan of Joppich’s style. My fav fencers are Le Pechoux and Cassara, and i like Casetleanni’s stance (dont know how to spell the poor kids name). but hes an american kid, just got to college. im 25 btw
Im Puertorican too!! <3
Goosebumps.Shes a beast. And the article was 5 stars.
As I reminisce about the games past, I feel very sfiasited with the experience and the results. In the end, we (Canada) got the performance results we wanted, double hockey gold, 14 gold medals (an Olympic Winter Games record!), and only a few disappointments for our athletes, like silver in women’s curling, crashing out of 2-man bob-sleigh, and sucking at anything alpine and nordic.There were some sad events, like the death of Kumaritashvili and Rochette’s mom, and some acts of stupidity, such as the disruptions to the torch relay, the minor downtown protest/riot, and the fenced off cauldron. But I feel these were not enough to over-shadow the greatness of these excellent and very friendly games. I am just happy with the whole experience, and that we were here to take part in it all and enjoy the Olympic experience here at home in Vancouver, BC, Canada. I especially enjoyed it when my wife and I were able to cheer on Clara Hughes to her last Olympic medal in the 5000m speed skating, and it was great to take our son to ski jumping, luge, bob-sleigh and hockey games ( OK, you cheer for Slovakia and I’ll cheer for Norway! ).I was able to get tickets for my Mother and Grandmother to see the Ice Dance compulsory dance and original dance, where Moir and Virtue eventually won gold. We went to Victory Ceremonies in Whistler and Vancouver where we saw our Canadian athletes awarded gold, silver and bronze, and we sung O Canada out loud for the world to hear, or we stood respectfully and removed our hats while other countries celebrated their gold medal winning athletes. No, it wasn’t just about Canada, we cheered on all the athletes from all the countries, giving them all our support as they competed ( Hop Suisse , SU-O-MI clap clap clap). It was a just a great experience all around, celebrating sport, friendship and peace in the world! Knowing what we now know about this experience, would we do it again? H-E-double hockey sticks YES!!! (But next time can we get at least a 5 goal cushion before we start playing a 1-2-2 neutral zone trap?)Now that we are over half way through the Paralympic Games I would say they are also a great success and we are enjoying them on TV (great coverage). I didn’t take time off for this week, so I did not schedule my time to go to any events, but it has been nice to see the compete level in these athletes is right up there with the Olympic Games athletes.Whatever happens in the future, I think these games will have a lasting legacy for Vancouver, the province of BC, and all of Canada. We need to continue to support the athletes and the sport, as the spin-offs for our society are immense, for promoting healthy lifestyles and constructive activities for our youth, etc. The people of the world are coming after hearing and seeing what we have to offer, so get ready, be gracious hosts, and be proud, Canada!