Karen Cockburn
(IOC)
Updated: 2007-07-25 17:28
Sydney, 22 September 2000, Games of the XXVII Olympiad. Women's gymnastics, trampoline: Eventual bronze medallist Karen COCKBURN of Canada in action. Credit: Getty Images/BRUNSKILL Clive
Other names: COCKBURN, Karen
Born: 2 October 1980
Birthplace: Toronto (Canada)
Nationality: Canada
Sport: Gymnastics
ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES
Sydney 2000
Athens 2004
AWARDS
Olympic medals:
Silver: 1
Bronze: 1
First trampolinist to earn two medals
Karen Cockburn began her athletic pursuits as a diver and used the trampoline as training for her dives. After trying artistic gymnastics, she switched to competitive trampolining. In 1995 she injured her knee so badly that she needed reconstructive surgery. She returned to competition after a year, but she had to wear a knee brace until 1999. When trampolining made its Olympic debut at the 2000 Sydney Games, Cockburn was one of the twelve women to take part. Not considered a medal favourite, she performed well and earned an unexpected bronze medal. Moving up in the world rankings, she won the 2003 world championships and established herself as the woman to beat at the 2004 Olympics. She placed only fifth in the qualifying round. In the final she attempted a routine with a higher degree of difficulty than any of other competitors and won the silver medal behind Anna Dogonadze of Germany.
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