Metro’s own legendary Olympic gymnastics coach inspires young athletes ahead of 2024 Paris games

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa — The country is flipping with excitement for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, but gymnasts at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance in West Des Moines are particularly eager.

Partially because the gym’s Olympic history serves as a reminder that they, too, can achieve their dreams.

“For me, I just know that no matter what I do in my future, I would’ve brought all of the lessons that I learned from the gym,” said 16-year-old gymnast Claire Bailey.

In the 2008 and 2012 games, Shawn Johnson and Gabby Douglas brought home six Olympic medals, three gold and three silver. Both athletes trained under the guidance of Coach Liang Chow.

“I’m very proud to make a generation not [just] winning on the world stage, but as future leaders,” said Chow.

It’s been 16 years since his Olympic debut with Shawn Johnson, a West Des Moines native and four-time Olympic medalist, but one memory stands out for the legendary coach.

“After podium, she came over and said ‘thank you Chow for everything,’ you know we were in tears, because we know how hard we worked,” he said.

And having coached two Olympic gold medalists, Chow’s gym is popular across the world. Athletes, like Addison Ward traveled far to train with Chow.

“I’m actually originally from Canada and then I moved here by myself to go to Chow’s,” said Ward, “Yeah, when I was 10.”

And Chow’s positive impact is felt by every athlete he trains with.

“Chow’s taught me so many life lessons in my life and really just pushed me to be the best that I can. He really just brings a lot of positive energy to the gym, cheers us on,” said Bailey.

Coach Chow said their young generation of gymnasts brought home over 100 state individual medals last year, so many athletes are hopeful to continue the sport in the elite level and collegiate level. They may also have another Olympian soon.

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