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Outlook: The secret link between two gymnasts

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Compilation of Jennifer doing a handstand and Dominique performing

25/08/2021 GMT

The secret link between two gymnasts

BBC World Service - Outlook, The secret link between two gymnasts

Jennifer Bricker was born without legs and idolised Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu

Professional acrobat Jennifer Bricker was born without legs. Growing up, her idol was Olympic gymnast Dominique Moceanu.

Dominique Moceanu was part of the so-called Magnificent Seven, the USA women's gymnastics team who took gold at the 1996 Olympic Games. But she had a rough time, and was speaking out during the recent Tokyo Games when the brilliant American gymnast Simone Biles shared that she was struggling with her mental health. Dominique was just 14 when she went to the Olympics and made headlines across the world. Watching her from afar was Jennifer Bricker, a little girl in Illinois who was born without legs and was also a professional acrobat. She would watch Dominique on TV and idolised her. Years later Jennifer made an extraordinary discovery that would change both their lives. They told their story to Matthew Bannister. 

This interview was first broadcast in December 2016.

Get in touch: outlook@bbc.com

Picture: Jennifer Bricker (left) and Dominique Moceanu
Credit: Courtesy of Baker Publishing Group (L), Mike Powell via Getty Images (R)

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