In a significant announcement on Friday, USA Gymnastics unveiled a new leadership structure along with the selection of three distinguished athletes who will represent the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission.
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (November 22, 2024) – USA Gymnastics made headlines on Friday by announcing the appointment of new leaders and the election of three promising athletes who will now function as representatives within the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission. This selection process took place through a competitive election among elite athletes across the nation.
USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council
Alex Renkert (Trampoline & Tumbling) and Evita Griskenas (Rhythmic) have been elected to influential leadership roles within the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council (AC) this November.
Accomplished eight-time World medalist Renkert has been appointed as the new chair of the AC after a successful tenure as vice chair since 2022 under the guidance of former chair Jessica Renteria (Acrobatic). He will take on his new responsibilities immediately, leading the council until the conclusion of his term in 2025.
In a pivotal move, Griskenas steps in to replace Renkert as vice chair. The esteemed two-time Olympian began her involvement with the Athletes’ Council as a rhythmic representative in 2022 and will serve in this capacity until 2025.
Cameron Bock (Men’s Artistic) has been elected to occupy the previously vacant second men’s artistic representative spot. The 2024 U.S. high bar bronze medalist and 2023 Pan American Games team champion will represent his fellow gymnasts until 2027, bringing his competitive experience to the council.
Following Renteria’s decision to step down as the acrobatic representative, World medalist and USA Gymnastics Hall of Famer Kiley Boynton (Acrobatic) has been chosen to fill her role, serving until the term concludes in 2025.
Members of the Athletes’ Council play a crucial role as advocates, serving as the voice of gymnasts throughout the country while effectively communicating with USA Gymnastics on their behalf.
Team USA Athletes’ Commission
The Team USA Athletes’ Commission, which was formerly known as the USOPC Athletes’ Advisory Council (“AAC”), acts as an essential link between Team USA athletes and the USOPC, facilitating dialogue and representation. Logan Dooley (Trampoline & Tumbling) was elected as the gymnastics representative, with Margzetta Frazier (Women’s Artistic) stepping in as the alternate.
Having served as the alternate from 2021-2024, Dooley will officially assume his role as gymnastics representative in January when Serena Lu‘s (Rhythmic) term wraps up next month. As part of his responsibilities on the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, Dooley will continue to maintain a seat on the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors and Athletes’ Council during his term, which extends through 2028.
Frazier has been selected as the alternate to Dooley and will begin her service for four years starting in January. She boasts a past as a Senior National Team member and is a four-time All American in her collegiate career. With her new appointment, Frazier will also have a seat on the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors and Athletes’ Council.
For detailed information regarding the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council and the Team USA Athletes’ Commission, please visit their respective websites.
What are the key goals that Alex Renkert and Evita Griskenas aim to achieve in their new leadership roles within USA Gymnastics?
### Interview with Alex Renkert and Evita Griskenas on New Leadership at USA Gymnastics
**Interviewer:** Welcome, Alex and Evita! Thank you for joining us today to discuss your recent appointments within the USA Gymnastics Athletes’ Council. Alex, congratulations on being named the chair of the council! How does it feel to take on this leadership role?
**Alex Renkert:** Thank you! It’s an honor to be elected as the chair, especially following my work as vice chair. This is a pivotal moment for USA Gymnastics, and I’m excited to help guide our community as we work to create a safe and supportive environment for all athletes. My goal is to ensure that the voices of athletes are heard and prioritized in decision-making processes.
**Interviewer:** That’s fantastic to hear! Evita, you are stepping into the vice chair position. What are your immediate goals as you take on this new responsibility?
**Evita Griskenas:** I’m thrilled to be in this position alongside Alex. My focus will be on fostering collaboration within the Athletes’ Council and ensuring that we’re addressing the needs and concerns of all gymnasts, particularly as we approach the Paris Olympics. I want to emphasize inclusivity and support for athletes at all levels—both elite and up-and-coming.
**Interviewer:** With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, how do you both think your experiences as competitors influence your leadership?
**Alex Renkert:** Our experiences uniquely position us to understand the challenges athletes face. Having been in high-pressure situations ourselves, we can empathize with the journey of each member in our community. This perspective is essential for advocating for athletes’ rights and well-being, especially as we advance toward major competitions.
**Evita Griskenas:** Absolutely. We know how important mental health and safety are in our sport. We want to ensure that athletes feel supported, not just physically but emotionally and psychologically as well. I believe that fostering a culture of open communication and support will lead to better performance and overall athlete satisfaction.
**Interviewer:** Cameron Bock and Kiley Boynton were also elected to the council; what do you hope to achieve collectively as a team?
**Alex Renkert:** I think the diversity of experiences and backgrounds among us will strengthen our council. Each of us brings something unique, and together we can tackle various issues, from athlete safety to enhancing training programs. We’re committed to collaborating closely and ensuring that athlete representation is strong across all gymnastics disciplines.
**Evita Griskenas:** Yes, working together as a cohesive team is crucial. We want to create an environment where all athletes feel empowered to speak up and contribute. Our collective voices will be stronger, and I’m looking forward to what we can accomplish together.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a promising future for USA Gymnastics under this new leadership. Thank you both for sharing your insights and best of luck with your new roles!
**Alex Renkert & Evita Griskenas:** Thank you! We’re excited to get started!
