MINNEAPOLIS— The United States Men’s Olympic Gymnastics Trials began Thursday evening at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
Shane Wiskus is among a group of Americans trying to earn a spot on his second Olympic team.
He’s an Olympic veteran arriving on a high.
“It could be my last competition ever, so I feel like it’s just part of the story,” Wiskus said. “Whatever the outcome, it could be my last week — in front of a home crowd, or the start of a great postseason at the Olympics.”
Wiskus is a native of Spring Park, Minnesota. He graduated from Mound Westonka High School and the University of Minnesota, where he won an NCAA championship and was on the Olympic team for the Summer Games in Tokyo this past cycle.
“Gymnastics has been my whole life,” Wiskus said. “I love it. Growing up in Minnesota and experiencing Minnesota gymnastics was a great part of my story.”
Wiskus had grown up and competed extensively in Minnesota, and had mixed reactions to the news that the Olympic Trials would be held in Minneapolis.
“It was nerve-wracking at first. I was a little nervous,” Wiskus said. “You just want to do well in front of your home crowd. It’s like maybe there’s extra pressure. But as it got closer, I realized it’s more of a blessing than a curse. Being able to perform in front of my family and friends and in my home state is pretty symbolic. And part of the story. So I use it as motivation to have a really good competition and just enjoy it while it lasts.”
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