Long time gymnast and now world renowned weight lifter Noemi Merino made her international debut at the 1996 Olympics, representing her native Japan. Following up a great performance by Merino at the 1996 Olympics, Noemi Merino decided that she wanted to pursue a career in gymnastics, with the possibility of being a member of the U.S. National Team. Unfortunately for Noemi, her height difference and ethnicity meant that she would have to wait four years before competing for the U.S. at the Olympics, and after four years of hard training she finally qualified to join the U.S. National Team. It was a painful ordeal for Noemi, as her parents had always told her that if she were to win a medal, then everything would change for her, but unfortunately for Noemia, the US didn’t fare too well at the Olympic Games, finishing fourth behind Russia, Germany and China.
Noemi is currently working hard to earn back her place on the U.S. National Team, while also working on becoming a worldwide gymnast. She has also worked hard to dispel the negative public image that she has endured for the last few years. While her height difference and ethnicity may have been an issue for her prior to the 1996 Olympics, she has now received many invites from international gyms to compete internationally, proving that she has indeed changed her image and can compete alongside the best. However, despite her impressive resume, Noemi is not sure that she will ever achieve the same fame or recognition as other African American gymnasts such as laurel queen Gabby Douglas, or gymnast gymnasts such as Missy Franklin, who has received widespread support from the U.S. and other international sports governing bodies.
“I am definitely going to give it my all to win at the Olympics,” Noemi told Sports Illustrated. “I feel like it’s my turn. Even though I’m not an African American female, I feel like it’s my time. I think it is important that other people look beyond their physical differences to see who you are as a person and as an athlete. Everyone deserves a chance to make it in this sport, and I intend to show the world what I’ve got.”