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At the George R. Brown Convention Center, Rachel Rodriquez takes pictures of her young gymnasts. She brought the small group of girls from Fort Lauderdale to Houston for the Junior Olympics.
The little gymnasts compete during the day and at night, sit glued to the TV set watching the big Olympians. All of them dream of being on the U.S Olympic team.
“Eight years, we’re giving them eight years for the 2020 Olympics. It’s our goal for everybody because they’re all around the same age.”
Matt Coleman also has a camera in his hand. He and his family are from a city just north of Detroit. His two daughters are competing in Gymnastics and they too are watching the Olympics at night.
“They eat, sleep and drink gymnastics, pretty much. That’s all they do. That’s all they care to do right now.”
Coleman says it’s not about what medals they win at the Junior Olympics, it’s about competing and everything they learn by being involved in the sport.
“They’re learning how to work as a team; they’re learning discipline, even in the individual aspect of the sport, and it helps them learn how to focus and concentrate and do the best they can.”
While most of the indoor events are taking place at the convention center, track and field events are being held at Turner Stadium in Humble.