Entertainment

Gabby Douglas Has A New Coach

by Caitlyn Callegari

What's that saying, again? Behind every great gymnast is a great coach? Yeah, something like that. Anyway, if you're anything like me, you're probably waiting with bated breath for the Summer 2016 Olympics, mainly for the Gymnastics portion. But, while we wait for them to defy gravity, we have a considerable amount of time to wonder about other Gymnastics-related things that aren't the sport itself. Like, for instance, who is Gabby Douglas' coach? As it turns out, I unfortunately can't pretend to be her coach and claim the glam and glory, because she does, in fact, have one. And it isn't that Douglas' coach isn't too modest or camera shy to be in the spotlight.

The reason for the coach confusion is that the gymnast has changed coaches, and done so suddenly. According to NBC Olympics, Kittia Carpenter was her coach until the gold medalist made a "last minute coaching change," due to coming in fifth at championships. Considering that she's going for the gold, I can understand how that would warrant some worry and the need to switch things up on her part. NBC Olympics went on to explain the abruptness of the switch after the somewhat disappointing championships placing, "On night one of the U.S. women's gymnastics Olympic Trials, Douglas' coach on the floor was Christian Gallardo."

For all intents and purposes, it appears that Gallardo is now Douglas' Olympics coach, barring any other switcharoos. Here's some more information on the 11th hour coach, Christian Gallardo.

1. Gallardo And Douglas Are And Have Always Gotten Along Swimmingly

And that's because they aren't strangers. The publication explains that Gallardo, Carpenter, and Douglas are all part of the same gymnastics gym, Buckeyes Gymnastics.

2. He's A Dad

In his Twitter bio, he describes himself as a man of many talents, saying, "Father. Gym Coach. Spanish. Grill Master. Gamer. Music Junky."

3. Despite His Own Sports Prowess, He Still Geeks Out When He Meets His Sports Heroes

Hanging out with Kobe Bryant, no biggie.

4. He's Supportive And Proud

I mean, who wouldn't be?

6. He's Got An Impressive Resume

According to his bio on the Buckeyes Gymnastics site, the coach,

Grew up in El Paso, Texas where he competed as a Level 10 gymnast and for his high school. He coached both girls and boys at Gymnastics Elite Youth Sports and The American Dream in El Paso and girls through Level 10 at Diamondback Gymnastics in Mesa, Arizona. Christian has been coaching Girls Team at the highest levels at Buckeye for several years.

Some can do and teach.

I, for one, can't wait to see Douglas and Gallardo kill it together at the Summer Olympics.