Amanda Borden

Amanda Kathleen Borden, born on May 10, 1977, in Cincinnati, Ohio, began her gymnastics career in 1984. She trained under coach Mary Lee Tracy at the Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy and was a member of the U.S. National Team for six years, starting as a junior in 1990. Known for her clean form and energetic presence, Borden was selected to demonstrate the compulsory routines for the international gymnastics community at the 1991 World Championships. Despite setbacks, including breaking a growth plate on her left elbow in 1991 and missing the 1992 Olympic team, Borden demonstrated perseverance by resuming training within three days of her disappointment.

Her career highlights include earning a silver medal with the U.S. team at the 1994 Team World Championships in Dortmund, Germany. The same year, she placed 3rd in the all-around, uneven bars, and floor exercise at Nationals. Her unique twisting straddle jump on the balance beam was formally recognized and added to the ‘Code of Points’ as element #2.302. In 1995, Borden contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal win at the Pan American Games and individually secured another gold on balance beam, along with two silver medals in the all-around and floor exercise.

In 1996, Borden was unanimously chosen as captain of the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team, famously known as the “Magnificent Seven.” She led her team to win the first American women’s gymnastics gold medal at the Atlanta Olympic Games. After retiring from competitive gymnastics, Amanda graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in early childhood education. In May 2004, she co-founded Amanda Borden Gold Medal Gymnastics Academy in Tempe, Arizona, and later opened a second facility in Chandler, Arizona. Borden also developed a career as an Emmy Award-winning broadcaster and motivational speaker, providing commentary for CBS Sports, NBC, ESPN, the Pac-12 Network, and Varsity Brands for over two decades.