Rise to Success: Career Highlights of McKayla Maroney

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how McKayla Maroney made an impact.

McKayla Maroney is a retired American artistic gymnast, most notably a member of the "Fierce Five" that won gold at the 2012 Summer Olympics. She also secured an individual silver medal in the vault at the same Olympics. Prior to the Olympics, Maroney was part of the gold-winning American team at the 2011 World Championships, earning individual gold medals in both the team and vault events. She continued her success by defending her World title and winning gold on vault at the 2013 World Championships, marking her as the first U.S. female gymnast to achieve this feat.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2010: 2010 Pan American Gymnastics Championships

In 2010, McKayla Maroney competed at the Pan American Gymnastics Championships in Guadalajara, Mexico, contributing to the American team's first-place finish and winning first place in the vault and floor exercises.

2011: 2011 World Championships

In 2011, McKayla Maroney was part of the gold-winning American team at the World Championships and secured individual gold medals in the team and vault competitions.

2011: 2011 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

In October 2011, McKayla Maroney competed at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Tokyo, Japan, contributing to the American team's first-place finish and winning the vault final.

July 18, 2012: Sports Illustrated Cover

On July 18, 2012, McKayla Maroney was featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated with the rest of the USA Women's Olympic Gymnastics team.

October 4, 2012: Return to Kellogg's Tour on Light Duty

On October 4, 2012, McKayla Maroney returned to The Kellogg's Tour in Oklahoma City on light duty after recovering from her tibia fracture.

November 20, 2012: Acting Debut in Hart of Dixie

On November 20, 2012, McKayla Maroney made her acting debut in the CW television series Hart of Dixie, playing the recurring role of Tonya.

2012: 2012 Summer Olympics

In 2012, McKayla Maroney competed at the Summer Olympics in London, aggravating a previous foot injury during training, but helped the American team qualify in first place.

2012: Olympic Dreams

In 2012, McKayla Maroney mentioned realizing her dream of going to the Olympics, prompting her to move to a new gym to focus on Olympic training.

July 2013: Return to Gymnastics at U.S. Classic

In July 2013, McKayla Maroney returned to gymnastics at the Secret U.S. Classic, placing first on vault and third on floor, marking her first event since the 2012 London Olympics.

December 2013: Appearance on Bones

In December 2013, McKayla Maroney appeared on an episode of the Fox TV show Bones called "The Spark in the Park" as a gymnast named Ellie.

2013: 2013 World Championships

In 2013, McKayla Maroney defended her World title and won the gold medal on vault, becoming the first U.S. female gymnast to defend a World Championship vault title.

2013: Adidas Sponsorship

In 2013, McKayla Maroney signed a sponsorship agreement with Adidas Gymnastics.

2013: 2013 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

In 2013, McKayla Maroney was named to the United States team for the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp, Belgium, and successfully defended her title in the vault final, winning the gold medal.