The American, who won the beam at the Olympics in Beijing last year along with three silver medals, including the in all-round individual has missed this year.

She has instead appeared on a series of top-rated United States television shows, including winning Dancing With the Stars, the country's version of Celebrity Come Dancing.

Johnson started working out at Chow's Gymnastics in West Des Moines, where she is working with Liang Chow, coach of the US team at the 2008 Games

The 17-year-old is currently training every other day but still has to decide about whether to aim for London.

Her father Doug Johnson said: "She hasn't made a decision yet.

"That's kind of why she's down at Chow's now.

"She wanted to get back in the gym and see how things went and get back into shape, as far as being at the gym and stuff.

"She still has a little bit of time.

"I've never pushed her.

"I know a lot of people want a decision, but we're leaving it completely up to her.

"She's just trying to get back into shape - to be able to compete."