McClure Hangs Up His Hand Guards (25th May, 2006)

2004 Olympic silver medallist Brett McClure of Colorado Springs has announced his retirement from competitive gymnastics. A member of the U.S. National Team for 12 years, McClure was a key player in the U.S. Men’s Team’s success at the 2004 Olympic Games, where the squad captured the silver medal for the U.S. men’s best Olympic finish since the 1984 Olympic Games.

‘This was a very difficult decision for me,’ said McClure. ‘First, I want to thank everyone at USA Gymnastics. My success would not have been possible without their support, from Bob Colarossi, Steve Penny and Ron Galimore to the men’s program staff and committee to our sponsors. I also want to thank Vitaly Marinitch for his guidance; he is definitely one of the best coaches in the world. I am thankful that he was a major part of all my success for the past five years.’

‘Since the Olympics, retiring has crossed my mind off and on even though I had an unbelievable motivation to come back, improve and maybe get a medal,’ said McClure, who recently married 1996 Olympic gold-medallist Jaycie Phelps. ‘The last couple of years have been tough, coming back from injuries and I always want to go out and do better than before. I think the time is right for me to give my body a chance to heal. While one chapter of my life is finishing, another chapter is just beginning and getting better. I recently got married, and I want to spend more time with my family. I also have a great job opportunity, which I cannot address at this point, but is a good next step for me. My wife and family are behind me 100 percent. All of the pieces of the puzzle have fallen in place for me and made a great career.’

Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics, said, ‘On behalf of USA Gymnastics, I want to wish him the best on his new opportunities and to thank him for his dedication and long-time commitment to gymnastics. Brett has been an important part of the men’s program’s success since 2000. He was a member of every team that won an international medal in the last quadrennium. His ability on all six apparatus and his willingness to do whatever is asked are just some of the things that have made him such a valuable asset. We hate to see him leave the competitive arena because he is still one of the best gymnasts in the world. On a personal note, I have enjoyed getting to know and working with Brett. He is a wonderful person who has always wanted to give something back to his sport. This is a part of his nature, and I am confident Brett will continue to contribute to gymnastics in the coming years.’

In addition to the silver team medal, McClure qualified for the all-around finals at the 2004 Olympic Games. McClure also was a member of the team that earned the silver medal at both the 2001 and 2003 World Championships. He also won the parallel bars title at the 2004 World Cup event in Rio de Janeiro. McClure was the U.S. pommel horse champion in both 2001 and 2004. Leading into the 2004 Olympic Games, he was second in the all-around at the 2004 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, 2004 Visa Championships, 2002 Pacific Alliance Championships and 2001 U.S. Championships, as well as winning the all-around and high bar titles and sharing the pommel horse gold medal at the 2003 Winter Cup. He has won numerous other medals, both domestically and internationally. Recovery from elbow surgery precluded his competing throughout most of 2005.

Brett McClure at a glance
2004 Olympic silver-medal team
2004 U.S. pommel horse champion, all-around silver medallist
2003 World Artistic Championships Team silver medallist
2002 Individual Event World Championships Team member
2001 World Artistic Championships Team silver medallist
2001 Goodwill Games pommel horse bronze medallist

Hometown: Mill Creek, Wash.
Residence: Colorado Springs, Colo.
Birth Date/Place: Feb. 19, 1981; Yakima, Wash.
Club: Team Chevron
Trains: U.S. Olympic Training Center
Coach: Vitaly Marinitch
Began Gymnastics: 1990

Miscellaneous
McClure missed part of 2005 due to elbow problems, for which he had surgery. He was a member of the 2004 U.S. Men's Olympic Silver Medal Team, as well as the 2001 and 2003 World Championships Teams that also won silver medals. He earned a pommel horse bronze at the 2001 Goodwill Games. McClure is the son of Les and Judy McClure and a resident at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He has two brothers, Les Jr. and Dusty. He is interested in business and likes to DJ. McClure was introduced to the sport of gymnastics in 1990 when the Goodwill Games where held in Seattle. McClure recently married 1996 Olympic gold-medalist Jaycie Phelps.