Those controversial Moceanu statements

Paul Hamm isn’t the only one saying controversial stuff as The Olympic Games approach.

In an interview with The Los Angeles Times, 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu called for Bela and Martha Karolyi to be shown off the U.S. Team selection process.

Former U.S. Olympian Dominique Moceanu, who at 14 was part of the 1996 gold-medal team, said Tuesday night that USA Gymnastics team coordinator Martha Karolyi once grabbed her by the neck and slammed her face into a phone, and that former coach Bela Karolyi twice berated her about her weight in front of national teammates.

Moceanu, in a telephone interview with The Times, expanded on comments she made on an “HBO Real Sports” report that first aired Tuesday night in which she called for the Karolyis to be removed from their positions with the national team.

Parenting advice for Moceanu

Northernriver at Difficulty Plus Execution takes a poke at 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu’s parents when she writes,

Congratulations to 1996 Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and her husband on welcoming their new baby Carmen into the world. (Please do not hang her from a clothesline, or make her write an autobiography before she is out of her teens. Thanks so much.)

Having one’s baby grip a clothesline as a test of strength seems OK, provided someone’s right there to catch the child when he or she lets go, or, as happened in Domi’s case, the clothesline snaps. Maybe the Canaleses will set up a nice foam pit in their kitchen so little Carmen can practice her clothesline flyaways.

In all seriousness, gymnastics at home, especially for the inexperienced (or infant) is probably not a good idea.

Moceanu, Canales welcome a daughter

Let the “special Christmas gift” allusions begin.

1996 Olympic gold medalist Dominique Moceanu and husband Michael Canales will remember Christmas Day 2007 as the day their first child — daughter Carmen Noel Canales — was born.

Moceanu seems to do most things in style, and giving birth seems to be no different — the “Noel” is a really nice touch. Carmen, who was born at MacDonald Women’s Hospital in Cleveland, weighed seven pounds, seven ounces, People magazine reported.

[Moceanu] added, “The miracle of baby Carmen being born on Christmas Day makes this wonderful time all the more special to us. This is the best Christmas present we could have ever received!”

Moceanu is the second member of the Magnificent Seven to give birth — teammate Amanda Borden and husband Brad Cochran welcomed daughter Kennedy Faith on July 29.

In an interview with Celebrity Baby Blog in November, Moceanu said she and Canales planned to introduce their daughter to gymnastics at a young age.

Mike and I definitely want to encourage the sport when she’s young. We believe it’s good for coordination and flexibility. The fundamentals you learn in gymnastics help prepare you for any sport that you choose later in life and overall physical health.

If she likes it, that would be great to be both her mom and her coach some day, but I would never force the sport on her. If she chooses to do it, I will protect her and guide her the best way I know how. I’d be thrilled if she loves it the same way that Mike and I do.

Moceanu on Celebrity Baby Blog

Dominique Moceanu certainly seems to have embraced pregnancy.

Celebrity Baby Blog did an interview and photo shoot with the youngest member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic team and posted the results earlier this week.

Moceanu, who married former Ohio State gymnast Mike Canales a year ago this month, said the couple plans to introduce their daughter to gymnastics at an early age.

Mike and I definitely want to encourage the sport when she’s young. We believe it’s good for coordination and flexibility. The fundamentals you learn in gymnastics help prepare you for any sport that you choose later in life and overall physical health.

If she likes it, that would be great to be both her mom and her coach some day, but I would never force the sport on her. If she chooses to do it, I will protect her and guide her the best way I know how. I’d be thrilled if she loves it the same way that Mike and I do.

New pictures, including one of a topless, full-bellied Moceanu and her gold medal are included.