Shane Wiskus recently shocked the world by hinting at an early retirement on Day 2 of the 2024 Xfinity Championships. The same championships he made his debut in exactly 10 years ago. But it seems like the world isn’t ready to bid adieu to him just yet. The Olympian might not have brought home an Olympic gold, but that didn’t stop him from enthralling fans with his stellar routines at every competition. The former 3-time NCAA Champion is currently vying for another run at the Summer Games at the Target Center in Minneapolis.

While fans are excited to see him take another shot at the Big Games. There are several burning questions that run through their mind. Why did the star athlete opt for gymnastics? What is his driving force? Does he have siblings? Shane Wiskus has had an illustrious journey so far, but he wouldn’t have been able to do it without his family’s support. Let’s dive in to find out who Wiskus’ biggest cheerleaders are!

Everything about the Wiskus tribe

The star gymnast hails from Spring Park, Minnesota and has lived there his whole life with his parents Mike and Tammy Wiskus. His mother worked as an executive assistant at a real estate firm at the time. His father, Mike, had been touring the U.S and Canada as a stunt pilot with Lucas Oil. He even has a TikTok account with 121,400 followers. Adorned with videos of him doing an assortment of stunts, Mike’s fans get to watch the patriarch of the Wiskus household risk his life all the time.

Wiskus grew up with a brother, Andrew, and two sisters, Dani and Anabelle. His parents always ensured their kids could do whatever they set their hearts on. Anabelle Wiskus has been a part of the Minnesota Association of Dance Teams. The Wiskus household has always been supportive for the Olympic gymnast. Shane had always been an active child. He enjoyed playing hockey, soccer, and baseball. Not a stranger to injuries, he had a batter hit a line drive straight into his face during his little league days.

Even though many know Wiscus as an Olympic gold hopeful, the elite gymnast has always been into many other things apart from the sport. He has always enjoyed strumming his guitar, taking his boat out for a ride, and the strong whiff of a cup of coffee. But when time comes to perform on the floor, his family has always had the loudest cheer in the crowds.

The ongoing U.S. Gymnastics Trials take place on his home turf at the Target Center in Minnesota. After day 1 of the trials, Shane Wiskus finished with a stellar score of 84.300 and was third on the board. But day 2 and 4 more rotations stand between him and a ticket to Paris. So what motivated Wiskus to step into the grandeur realm of gymnastics?

Wiskus was sent to gymnastics classes because his parents couldn’t keep up with him

Shane Whiskus got first stepped on the floor mat at the tender age of 5. Mike Wiskus recalls in conversation with Pioneer Press, “He was crazy. It was hard to keep up with him.” His parents decided to let him utilize all his energy somewhere other than their humble abode. What started out as a fun way to keep the gymnast distracted turned into something more less than 2 months later. “We need to talk,” his then coach walked up to Mike.

Despite his first coach seeing something more in Wiskus, he continued to keep himself busy with other sports. But he reached his tipping point after several injuries, Wiskus had made up his mind. “He walked in and said, ‘I’m done with this, let’s stick to gymnastics,” Mike mentioned. Shane wasn’t afraid of the risks that came with gymnastics, even though both his parents were mildly concerned. Wiskus had always wanted to shatter the glass ceiling as a child, and his biggest goal back then was to do the Iron Cross.

While his coaches didn’t want him to hurt himself by performing the move too early. When he did get the chance to, he couldn’t hold contain his excitement according to Mike. While his parents never thought about him making the Olympics, they have always had his back. When Wiskus fell during the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, Mike was a little worried. “In that situation, you didn’t see him pull his grips off and throw them, you didn’t see a temper tantrum, all you saw was a young man that when the coach says, ‘You are done,’ Shane said, ‘No I’m not, I’m going to finish.” He was proud of how his son handled what many would’ve called a heartbreaking moment.

As Shane Wiskus continues to battle it out with the nation’s best at the Target Center, it won’t be odd to watch his family cheer for him the loudest from the stands. He would have to finish in the top eight to make it to Paris. Will we watch Wiskus secure a spot in the final five in what could possibly be his last competition on their way to Paris? We will soon find out!