IMPRESARIO: What’s What With … Sean Golden, Camden’s Olympic Hopeful
While my dreams of donning a velour leotard for the U.S. Gymnastics team crashed as soon as I cleared five-foot-four, I can’t help watching the sport during the summer Olympics. This weekend, fans can see the muscular mini-marvels — including Camden native Sean Golden — at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials at the Wachovia Center.
Taking a break from the rings, Golden told us what it’s like to be a male gymnast, what he thinks about tensions in China, and, oh yeah, that he’s single. Alas, my five-foot-nine figure dashes dreams again. — Cheryl McEvoy
I heard that you got into gymnastics because you couldn’t wind down. Why did gymnastics work?
My parents noticed that I would bounce around and flip around on the furniture when gymnastics was on. So I already had the interest. And if you ever go to a [gymnastics gym], it’s like a big playground for kids. So I guess that’s why — it just burned up my energy. I got to jump on all the things I wasn’t allowed to at home.
Was it tough sporting a leotard in junior high?
In junior high, yes. It’s not very socially accepted. In the demographic where I grew up, gymnastics was not a popular sport. The kids did make fun of me. There was probably a point where I didn’t want to do it anymore, but I loved it and just stuck with it.
I remember juggling sports and class in high school. How’d you manage to study, train and hold down a job?
Oh my gosh. It. Was. Hard. I look back now and say “How did I manage that schedule?” Then I say “I was 16.” Not like 24 is ancient — it was just conditioning. It was not easy at all, but gymnastics was something I wanted to do. And in order to not be a burden on my parents, [work] was something I had to do. If I said I didn’t want to work, I’m sure my parents would have found a way, but I didn’t want to be a burden. But, to answer your question, it was just sheer ambition for the sport.
Are you getting a lot of support from the folks back in Camden?
I don’t directly talk to them, but my parents are trying to push tickets sales for friends and family. The response has been incredible, so it’s great to have that support … I’m just so grateful and just honored to be there. They’ve seen the papers, but this is the first time I can show them what I do in real life.
How do you feel about the recent protests surrounding China?
I’m not opposed to protesting. I think it’s wrong what they’re doing over there to Tibet. But at the same time, I don’t think it’s necessary to boycott the Olympics or the opening ceremony. I don’t think politics has a place in sports.
So you wouldn’t join a boycott?
The Olympics [only] comes around once every four years, and one out of every four years there’s an opportunity to unite the world through sports. I think that’s a powerful thing. I think to boycott only punishes the athlete. These athletes haven’t been working for this for four years — it’s been their whole lives. Even boycotting the opening ceremony … it’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. To take that away for a political stand … I don’t think that’s fair to the athletes. I don’t condone what they’re doing, but I don’t see how boycotting the opening ceremony will make that big of a difference.
What’s the first thing you’d do if you won the gold?
Go to Disney World. [laughs] Isn’t that the default answer? The first thing I’d do is thank God. Winning the gold medal in the Olympic Games … that would just be a dream come true. It would represent the people who supported me and show the good that can come from Camden. It would mean so much more than a gold medal.
Okay, my last question was going to be stupid, so instead, you get to tell me anything about yourself that you want.
I am a Gemini, and I like long walks in the park and I’m single. [laughs] If I could throw out a website …
Sure.
It’s another side of Sean that most people don’t get to see: Seangolden.com.
