Amanda Borden was captain of the U.S. Olympic Gymnastics Team, dubbed the Magnificent Seven(including members Dominique Moceanu, Amy Chow, Jaycie Phelps, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller and Kerri Strug), which took home the gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta. Along with their gold, they made history by becoming the first U.S. Womenʼs Gymnastics team ever to win an Olympic games. More than 15 years later they are still the only American Womenʼs Gymnastics team to have one team gold. Amanda describes the experience as, “the biggest moment of my gymnastics career and one of the biggest moments in women’s gymnastics history.”
Amanda proved herself to be a steady and consistent gymnast from the start of her training in 1984 at Cincinnati Gymnastics Academy. Her talent and ability led her to be named to the National Team six times and the World Championship Team three times, eventually reaching the pinnacle of her career as Team Captain of the history making, 1996 Gold Medal Olympic Team. USA Gymnastics Code of Points number 2.302, otherwise known as the “Borden,” is named after Amanda. The Borden is a straddle pike jump from side position with or turn on the balance beam. USA Gymnastics also named Amanda Sportswoman of the Year in 1995.
After the 1996 Gold Medal win, Amanda appeared in numerous national tours and television appearances and graduated summa cum laude from Arizona State University with a degree in early childhood education. As the owner of Gold Medal Gymnastics Academy, with two locations in Tempe and Chandler Arizona, Borden has combined her educational training with her athletic expertise and continues to serve as a gymnastics and cheerleading commentator for CBS Sports, Fox Sports, ESPN and NBC.
While proud of her past, Borden says her focus now is on the next generation of athletes: “My goal is to touch the lives of children all across Arizona to help them reach their goals, whatever they may be”.
In addition, Amanda is a member of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame and US Olympic Hall of Fame. She currently sits on the Arizona Gymnastics Board. Most recently she was honored by Arizona State University with the Alumni Achievement Award for her success and contributions in business and the community.