Dominique Moceanu is back on the mats, the stress fracture in her right shin healing and her sights set on the Olympics.
The 14-year-old gymnast practiced with other members of the U.S. team in preparation for an exhibition Saturday night, her first performance since skipping the Olympic trials because of the injury."It's a lot better than it was," Moceanu said. "There's still a little bit of pain. It's bearable, though."
Scores in the national championships were high enough that Moceanu was able to sit out last months trials and still make the Olympic squad. She has received ultrasound treatment on her shin and missed just a month of workouts with an injury that usually takes four time that long to heal, according to Dr. Jack Jensen, her Houston-based orthopedic surgeon.
Until she gets to Atlanta next week, Moceanu will go easy on the leg. She practiced on soft, cushy mats and will stay away from the floor exercises in the exhibition, coach Bela Karolyi said.
"It is not a necessity right now," Karolyi said. "I wouldn't take a risk right now."