Speaker Profile

Mohini Bhardwaj is a trailblazing gymnast who made history as the first woman to make a U.S. Olympic gymnastics team after earning a bachelor’s degree and the first Indian American Female to become an Olympic Medalist post college at the age of 25. A two-time Individual NCAA champion at UCLA, the first woman to compete a double twisting Yurchenko in college, she lead the Bruins to their 2000 & 2001 national title while earning 11 All-America honors.  She is also a member of the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame & UCLA Hall of Fame.

Bhardwaj’s elite career reached its pinnacle at the 2004 Athens Olympics, where she served as the U.S. team captain, leading the squad to a silver medal in the team competition. Her powerful and dynamic gymnastics set her apart, and she left her mark on the sport with the "Bhardwaj" —a full-twisting Pak salto on uneven bars, which remains one of the most difficult elements in the sport’s code of points.

Beyond competition, Bhardwaj transitioned into coaching and became a U.S. Brevet judge. She has over 25 years of coaching experience and currently owns and operates Oregon Olympic Athletics (OOA) in Bend, OR. Beyond competition, Bhardwaj has remained involved in gymnastics as a coach and mentor, inspiring the next generation with her resilience, work ethic, and dedication to the sport.  Her journey from a standout collegiate athlete to an Olympic medalist embodies perseverance and excellence, breaking barriers along the way.

‍