"I know what they're going through" - Nervous Shawn Johnson backs Simone Biles and Co. to do well at Paris Olympics 2024

By Anirudh

Modified Jul 19, 2024 13:44 GMT

Shawn Johnson has shared that she is feeling the nerves ahead of the 2024 Paris Olympics, and has sympathy with the gymnasts representing the USA in Paris.

Johnson, a four-time Olympic medalist with one gold and three silver medals in Beijing in 2008, brought her gymnastics career to an end in 2012 because of persistent problems with her left knee.

Despite being retired for more than a decade now, she stated that she was feeling anxious about how Team USA would perform at this year's Summer Games. She added that while everybody would have worked hard leading up to the Games, they are all capable of mistakes, being human beings:

"I'm nervous. I'm holding my breath because I just know what they're going through. I know they work so hard. They're so deserving. They are peaking, in perfect shape and they're ready for this. But it's also that mentality of understanding, 'I know anything can happen.' They're human! Mistakes can happen," she told PEOPLE.

"I know they've given up and sacrificed a lot to be there. A lot of these athletes are seeing their dreams come true for the very first time, so it's just cool to see it unfold for other people now," she added.

Johnson also shared that she will be heading to Paris with her entire family, including her kids, to cheer on her compatriots.

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"They're absolutely stacked" - Shawn Johnson on Team USA's gymnastics squad for Paris Olympics 2024

Simone Biles has won 37 world and Olympic medals - Getty Images

Team USA's gymnastics squad for the 2024 Paris Olympics includes four-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles, three-time Olympic medalist Suni Lee, Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey, Olympic silver medalist Jordan Chiles, and teenage debutant Hezly Rivera.

Shawn Johnson marveled at how strong the squad was and said that all the experiences and leadership would come in handy.

"I think they're an incredibly strong team. You have four repeating Olympians from Tokyo which is insane. The experience, the wisdom a,nd the leadership that you have on that team is incredible," she said.

The Iowa resident also made special mention of 16-year-old rising star Rivera.

"She [Hezly Rivera] is such a strong competitor. They're absolutely stacked, they're so strong — and if they do what they're capable of, they will be just fine," she added.

For herself, Johnson said that she doesn't miss being a competitive gymnast as she has her hands full as a mother.

"I don't really have FOMO anymore. I do think I'm far enough removed, especially being a mom now, that I don't feel like I'm missing out on anything," she opined.

The 32-year-old is expected to take on the role of an expert commentator and cover the Olympics for Yahoo.