Mill Creek’s McClure retires from gymnastics

Published 11:14 am Monday, March 3, 2008

Olympic silver medalist Brett McClure of Mill Creek won’t be completing the family medal collection.

McClure, who is married to 1996 gold medalist Jaycie Phelps, retired on May 25. The gymnast had been slowed by knee and elbow injuries the past two years, and realized he wouldn’t be in the same shape he was in 2004, when he helped the U.S. men win their first team medal in 20 years.

He plans to coach in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“Every professional athlete has to come to a point where they do retire,” said McClure, who attended Jackson High School. “It’s something that’s been my entire life, so it’s bittersweet. But it’s exciting to move on to something else. And something that’s still close to the sport.”

McClure played a key role in the resurgence of the U.S. men’s team. He made his first world championship team in 2001, when the men were a surprising second. He also was on the 2003 team that won sliver.

In Athens in 2004, he helped the U.S. men’s team win a silver medal — the team’s first since gold in 1984. He also competed in the all-around and was third with one event to go. But his last event, the still rings, was his worst, and he dropped to ninth.