In a ceremony on Friday, three Olympic athletes from Acadiana were presented with a key to the City of Lafayette.
Olympians Morgann LeLeux, Aliaksei Shostak, and Nicole Ahsinger were honored in a ceremony on July 2 at City Parish-Hall.
LeLeux, a New Iberia native, will compete in the pole vault competition in Tokyo. She qualified for a spot on the U.S. Track and Field Team Saturday at the Olympic trials in Eugene, Oregon.
A parade will be held in her hometown of New Iberia on Friday night. See the details.
Nicole Ahsinger and Aliaksei "Alexi" Shostak, who both live and train in Lafayette, will compete at the Olympics in trampoline.
The two were named to the USA Trampoline Olympic Team following the 2021 USA Gymnastics Championships last month in St. Louis, Missouri.
"You know Trampoline isn't a big Olympic sport. It's only been in the Olympics since 2000, so a lot of people don't know about it, but it's really cool to watch" Ahsinger said.
The two trampolinist say they train more than 20 hours a week.
"Basically were training everyday. My coach found a schedule for us, three days on, one day off, just to get us to peak at the right time" Ahsinger said.
According to Shostak, trampoline gymnastics is like diving. Their routine consist of 10 skills. They will continue perfecting their routines for Tokyo.
"You're not adding anything new, it's keeping the same consistency and volume. It's believing that you can achieve a medal, and going for that" Shostak said.
Ahsinger is competing in the Olympics for the second time. In 2016, at 18 years old, she placed 15Th in Rio.
"I was just a baby," Ahsinger said, "I competed to my best ability. Now going to my second Olympic games. Im not competing just to compete, im competing for a medal. hopefully I can make a career out of this."
According to olympics.com, Ahsinger is the second U.S. woman to go to back-to-back Games in trampoline.
"I've competed internationally for the last ten years now. I can jump higher. I can flip faster. There's so many things, im such a much better athlete now" Ahsinger said.
It will be Shostak's first time at the Olympics. He says he is looking forward to the opening ceremony.
"My coach is two time Olympian as well. He describes it as the most star striking moment of his life. Just seeing the crowd, and the entire stadium. Im looking forward to the atmosphere" Shosak said.
Shostak and Ahsinger are leaving July 20Th. They will compete on the 30Th and the 31st.
Find out more about Trampoline Gymnastics here.
------------------------------------------------------------
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
