important steps to prevent injury. You will need Flexibility and time to practice. Never

bounce while stretching. Step 1. Warm up for at least five minutes before you begin stretching.

Step 2. Sit on the floor with your legs straight in front of you and your ankles locked together.

Raise your arms straight up and straighten your back. Then bend over and touch your toes.

Put your nose on your knees, hold the position for 30 seconds, and then relax. Point your

toes and flex while doing this stretch. Step 3. Sit on the floor with your legs stretched

out in front of you and straddle your legs, keeping your knees straight. Stop when you

feel tension, and then rest your elbows on the floor. Hold this position for 30 seconds,

and then relax. Step 4. Stand with your ankles locked together. Step far out front of yourself

with one leg and touch the ground with the opposite knee. Straighten your front leg and

touch your nose to your knee. Hold the position for 30 seconds, and then relax. Step 5. Repeat

the lunge stretch with the opposite leg. Step 6. Practice all three stretches at least twice

a day. Master the stretches without pain before you attempt to do the splits. Step 7. Stand

with your toes pointing forward and one leg in front of the other. Slowly slide down into

the splits. Stop if you feel pain. Get as low as you can, hold the position, and then

try again. Step 8. Do the splits daily to keep your muscles stretched and to maintain

flexibility. Did you know A committee selects the U.S. Olympic artistic gymnasts' team.

The team evaluates the gymnasts’ performance at Nationals, the Olympic Trials, and at training

camp.