Battle of ‘The Flying Squirrels’: Who deserves the nickname?
As nicknames go, the Flying Squirrel is both out-of-the-ordinary and awesome. In the pantheon of nicknames, it belongs next to Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown and Dick "Night Train" Lane. The only problem? It is used by two American Olympians. Who should be the true Flying Squirrel of London?
Name: Gabrielle Douglas
Height: 4-foot-11, tying her for the shortest American Olympian
Age: 16
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Va., but trains in Des Moines, Iowa
Sport: Gymnastics
How she earned the name: Douglas is known for her high-flying moves, particularly on uneven bars. U.S. women's gymnastics team coordinator Marta Karolyi called Douglas "The Flying Squirrel" because of how she flies.
Her claim on the name: After Olympic trials, Douglas was handed a plush flying squirrel from a fan and proudly displayed it during interviews.
Name: Ellis Coleman
Height: 5-foot-9
Age: 20, making him the youngest member of the U.S. wrestling team
Hometown: Oak Park, Ill.
Sport: Greco-Roman wrestling
How he earned the name: While competing at the junior world championships, Coleman performed "The Flying Squirrel." Check it out:
It has become his signature move.
His claim on the name: Coleman's Twitter handle is @DaFlyingSquirrel.
Who is the better Flying Squirrel? Tell in the comments.
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