Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Watch trampolinist Logan Dooley transform 10 tricks into an Olympic feat
Logan Dooley reacts after competing on the trampoline during 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships - Day 3 on June 12, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island.
(
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
)
Logan Dooley competes on the trampoline during 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships - Day 3 on June 12, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island.
(
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
)
Logan Dooley competes on the trampoline during 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships - Day 3 on June 12, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island.
(
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
)
Logan Dooley competes on the trampoline during 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships - Day 2 at the Dunkin' Donuts Center on June 11, 2016 in Providence, Rhode Island.
(
Maddie Meyer/Getty Images
)
There are Olympic events where judging the outcome is straightforward, like the 100-meter dash or soccer. And then there are the more nuanced, even quirky events — like trampoline, which joined the list of Olympic sports in 2000.
Logan Dooley got an early start in the sport by bouncing on his parents' bed when he was 7.
Now 28, Dooley is making his Olympic debut in Rio this year, though he's been an alternate twice before. He spoke with KPCC's Nick Roman about his journey to the Games and what exactly a trampoline routine entails.
Interview Highlights
How did you get into this sport?
I got into the sport — I was 7 years old and I jumped on my parents' bed. I jumped on it until it broke, so for my birthday my parents bought me a backyard trampoline, where I learned some crazy flips and tricks. My mom got really scared, so she went to the local Yellow Pages and found a gymnastics center that taught trampoline as classes for me to be safe, and the rest is history.
Trampoline is an official discipline of USA Gymnastics, so I am apart of the gymnastics team representing trampoline, so yes, it is like gymnastics. But it is also like diving, except when you have diving you have one trick and you're in the pool. In trampoline, we have to do 10 consecutive tricks in a row, and they all have to be different in different positions and shapes with different twists and flips to make it a variety of skills.
Sponsored message
You're 28. You're sort of like the old man compared to some of those people on the team.
Age is a mindset, I feel like I’m young. Obviously I am on the older end, so as long as you enjoy what you’re doing, I think it’s worth doing.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
