Malibu native Natalie McGiffert was named to the United States’ second-ever Olympic rhythmic gymnastics group at the conclusion of the 2016 USA Gymnastics Championships in Providence, Rhode Island, on June 11 and 12.
McGiffert has been training and competing in rhythmic gymnastics for over 12 years. She attended Webster Elementary and Malibu High schools before moving to Northbrook, Illinois, in 2012 to train with the USA Rhythmic Gymnastics Group as part of a plan to qualify for the 2016 Olympics.
Five women and one replacement athlete have been named to the squad, which will be the first rhythmic gymnastics group the United States has sent to the Olympics in 20 years. This year’s team has competed together in three world cup events and also won a gold in team and a silver in all-around at the 2014 Pan American Championships in Toronto, Canada. McGiffert has the most experience with the senior group, having competed in seven World Cup events since 2013.
McGiffert and her teammates will travel to Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, later this summer to compete in the Olympic Games.