Carly Patterson

At the 2004 Summer Olympics, speaker Carly Patterson became the first American woman in 20 years to win the All-Around Olympic Gold medal since Mary Lou Retton in 1984. Carly began gymnastics in 1994, less than a decade later, she made her debut at the senior international elite level, winning back- to-back American Cup titles in 2003 and 2004, as well as the title of 2004 US Co-National Champion.

Speaker Carly was also a part of the 2003 World Championships team where she won a silver medal in the all-around and helped lead the US to their first ever World Championship team gold medal! It was also at this competition that Carly’s signature beam dismount (an Arabian double front) was officially named the Patterson. A year later, Carly achieved her ultimate goal in gymnastics by earning a trip to the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. Carly came home from Athens with three Olympic medals. The US women won silver in the team competition – the first medal for the US women in eight years, as well as the second highest finish for Americans in a fully attended Olympic Games. Carly also earned a silver medal on her specialty, the beam.

Since the Olympics, Carly appeared on the “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Late Show with David Letterman” and “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” She also was featured on an NBC special and adorned the front of a Wheaties box. Carly presented an award at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards; was recognized by Glamour Magazine at the 2004 “Women Of The Year” Award; and was honored as the March of Dimes’ “Sportswoman of the Year.”

Speaker Carly has continued to work with USA Gymnastics doing promotion and events with them, gymnastics camps and competitions helping inspire young gymnasts and also working with the United States Olympic Committee. Carly has been involved in many charitable causes such as Special Olympics, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation and Children’s Miracle Network as well as numerous other local Dallas-based charitable causes. Carly works closely with a local Dallas charity, Taylor’s Gift foundation and they help bring awareness about organ donation.