Teen Olympian Erin Blanchard is already in Beijing, but she took time out of her busy schedule to answer some of our questions via email. Many thanks to Erin, and be sure to root for her during the Women's Individual Trampoline Preliminary on August 15th at 11 AM ET. Five things to know about US Olympian Erin Blanchard:1. She hails from Broussard, Louisiana, a town of approximately 7,433 people.2. The 18 year-old loves swimming and tennis in addition to gymnastics.3. She is the only...Read Full Story

Olympics 2008: Trampoline

By Alicia Diaz Dennis on

The trampoline is an American invention. In 1934, Iowa native George Nissen and his tumbling coach assembled the prototype for the trampoline out iron, a canvas bed, and rubber springs. After trampoline became a competitive sport, Americans dominated: they won 14 world titles from the first Trampoline World Championships in 1964 until the last American World Champion took a medal in 1974. Footage of 1968 World Champion Judy Wills ClineTrampoline's popularity waned in the US over the next...Read Full Story

Welcome to our wikizine called "Erin Blanchard"

By Alicia Diaz Dennis on

Wikizines are interactive magazines that anyone can create or edit - and this one is called "Erin Blanchard". Here you can find fresh voices and respond in real time. Some members write articles about recent news and trends related to the wikizine's topic, others recount relevant personal stories or share their favorite pictures and video clips. Got an interesting idea or story to share with other members of this wikizine? Well, then put on your journalist's cap and add your own article!Read Full Story

US Trampolinist Erin Blanchard Bio

Blanchard (right) wishes fellow trampolinist Alaina Williams good luck.
image linked from daylife.com

Erin Blanchard , born November 20th, 1989, comprises half of the US Trampoline team at this year's Olympics in Beijing. The former US Champion (2006) almost didn't make it: she had retired at the ripe old age of 17 due to complications with her coach and her gym. The Broussard, Louisiana native came out of retirement when she learned that the US had scored a slot in the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympic Games (thanks to Brittany Dircks' performance at the 2007 Trampoline World Championships). Blanchard told the Houston Chronicle that after eight months off the trampoline, it took her about a month to regain her skills. At Olympic Trials, the wildcard winner narrowly edged out Alaina Hebert, another Broussard gymnast and a close friend.

Erin Blanchard