During a time when the Soviets and Romanians dominated the sport, Julianne McNamara became one of the pioneers who established USA Gymnastics as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

McNamara, a first generation American born to Kevin and Jean McNamara, on Oct. 11, 1965, in Flushing, NY, became captivated by the sport while watching her older sister Elizabeth take classes at a local club near their home. With her small frame, long arms, and deceptive power, Julianne's natural talent was readily evident. At the young age of 14, Julianne became the 1980 National Champion and secured herself a spot on the 1980 Olympic team that would eventually boycott the Games. An unfortunate situation for a young woman who seemed to be peaking at the right time, but she didn't give up.

The following year at the 1981 Worlds in Moscow, she proved her international stature as the bronze medalist on the uneven bars and 7th place in the AA which was, at the time, the highest place for any American woman at a World Championships or Olympic Games.

At the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles, along with teammates Mary Lou Retton, Kathy Johnson, Tracee Talavera, Michelle Dusserre and Pam Bileck, McNamara led the US team to an historic second place finish.

At those games, McNamara scored a total of five perfect 10's and used her amazing strength and performed her eponymous element, the "McNamara mount" on uneven bars to bring home the first ever individual event gold medal on uneven bars in a tie with Ma Yanhong of China. Julianne also earned a silver medal with her dynamic routine on the floor exercise.

McNamara officially retired from gymnastics in 1987, and began an acting career, appearing on several television series including popular shows Charles in Charge and Knight Rider. She was even honored by The Flower Council of Holland with a new flower called the Julianne McNamara rose.

She is the mother of four children: sons Garrett, Ian, and Aaron; and daughter Hannah. In 1998, McNamara was inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame.

And now, forty years after her Olympic performance, Julianne McNamara's pioneering accomplishments earn her the sport's highest distinction as an inductee into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in the Class of 2024.