December 22 - Kevin Mazeika (pictured), who coached American gymnasts to team medals at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics, was named today as the men’s national team coordinator for USA Gymnastics in the build-up to London 2012.


Mazeika, whose family owns Houston Gymnastics Academy and Mazeika Elite Gymnastics, will remain in Houston and will step away from daily training of men’s elite gymnasts to focus on the new management job.

He said: “It’s a tremendous honour, and I’m excited to accept the position.

"It’s increased responsibility, but I’m ready for the challenge and looking forward to working with all the coaches and athletes.”

Mazeika was head coach of the US men’s team that won a silver medal at the 2004 Olympics and a bronze medal in 2008.

As a personal coach, his award-winners included 2000 Olympian and 2001 world parallel bars champion Sean Townsend, 2005 national champion Todd Thornton, world medalist Sean Golden and 2008 Olympic medalist Raj Bhavsar.

Mazeika said: "The men's team has won the silver and bronze medals the last two Olympics and our goal is to return to the podium [at London in 2012].

"We have a tremendous group of talented athletes and coaches with the work ethic and determination to build on the momentum from 2004 and 2008.

"Most of all we have the intangible strength that has been the bedrock of the men?s team - US spirit."

USA Gymnastics will decide later if Mazeika, in addition to his administrative duties, will coach the team at the 2012 London Olympics.

USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny said: "Kevin has demonstrated that he can lead our gymnasts through the demands of training and competition to the medals podium.

"He has the respect and confidence of the athletes and their coaches and we believe his experience will be invaluable in reaching our potential as we prepare for London and beyond."

Jonathan Horton of Houston, the 2009 national all-around champion and a two-time medalist at the 2008 Beijing Games, said he hopes Mazeika returns in 2012.

He said: “I don’t know if there’s a better person in the country for this job.

"I am a very big Kevin Mazeika fan when it comes to leading a team as he did in 2008.

"He did an incredible job, and I don’t see why he can’t do it again.”

Mazeika succeeds Ron Brant, who left the federation to become high performance director for the United States Olympic Committee.


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