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She won her 1st title with Mark, but was actually partnered with Derek Hough for this all-star season until last week when Derek was temporarily sidelined by aggravating a preexisting injury. So what’s the biggest difference between dancing with Derek vs. Mark? Shawn says:

“Honestly they’re completely different. Derek is more of a perfectionist from the very start where as Mark wants to get the whole creative thing done, and he’ll go back later for details. I don’t know, I’d say Derek might be more intense.”

Also, if you’re a fan of Shawn, be sure to check out the gold medalist’s new autobiography “Winning Balance.” She’ll be signing copies of her book at the ESPN Zone in Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA on Saturday, November 10.

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Did Shawn Give The Girls on Team USA Any Advice?
“They keep them pretty locked up. So, I couldn’t get a hold of them, but I talked to the team as soon as the team finals were over…Just congratulating them and telling them to stay focused, because it’s not over yet. I was in the stands watching and I just wanted so badly to go down there and hug them,” Shawn tells us.

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On Team USA Winning Gold:
“It’s almost surreal to watch, because it’s been so anticipated and hyped up for so long. The Team gold, it’s almost like we felt like we could never get it again and we finally did, it’s watching history in the making. I couldn’t be prouder.”

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Shawn Explains How Aly Raisman Won Bronze:
Aly Raisman originally came in fourth place after struggling on the beam. So, Shawn explains how Aly took home the bronze medal. “You can inquire a score if for some reason you don’t feel it’s correct and you can inquire about a difficulty. There’s two different panels one that judges her mistakes and then one that adds up her difficulty. If the athlete thinks their difficulty has been not added correctly they can inquire, which could potentially raise the score. So, that’s what she did. Then when you tie, the way they determine who gets the medal and who goes down is they look at the execution score and whoever is higher, then that person gets the medal.”

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A sample living space in the London 2012 Olympic Village. Photo/ Getty Images

Imagine a world where the U.S. gymnastics team lives upstairs, the cycling team one floor below, and those swimming studs somewhere down the hall. A whole building swarming with the most talented athletes in the world, all coexisting under one very large roof.

An apartment block that will house the athletes in the London Olympic Village. Photo/ Getty Images

Taylor Phinney revealed to USA TODAY that it was ”like boarding school with all these cute girls, except this was the Olympics.”  The cute girl that caught his eye was none other than gymnastics sweetheart, Shawn Johnson. A romance bloomed which he described as “like summer camp.”  The two kept in touch and are still good friends.

Phinney and Johnson had a brief romance at the 2008 Olympics. Photo via Getty.

As dreamy as it sounds, the London 2012 Olympic Village certainly emphasizes simple living. The athletic housing resembles typical college dorm rooms with minimalist furniture and brightly colored accents.

A bathroom in the Londom 2012 Olympic Village athlete housing. Photo/ Getty Images

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Did Guys Ever Ask You Out & Would You Date An Athlete?
“They just gave up! They didn’t even ask!” She continues, “I don’t think I can date another gymnast! I kind of stick away from that sport! They’re like my brothers. I don’t know.”

Do You Ever Go To The Regular Gym?
“Actually the regular gym scares me so much! Because I don’t know how to work out except for like doing a handstand against the wall.”

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What Will You Do Now That You’re Retired?
“Probably just relax? I think in the past week I’ve slept more than I ever have in my entire life. I think that’s a first. I’ve grown up working out seven hours a week, and not really had the freedom to have a social life and hang out with friend. Now I’ll actually be normal!”

Shawn Johnson Wants You To Join Coca-Cola In Cheering On Team USA
Shawn wants you to join her and Coca-Cola in cheering on Team USA! Upload a photo of yourself or your friends cheering on Team USA by this Friday, and your photo could end up on a billboard in Times Square in New York on July 18th! [Enter Here]

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Going To The Olympics
“I’ll be in London being a cheerleader for my girls. They’re like my sisters so I have to be there for them. I’ll also be over there with Coca-Cola and I’ll be cheering on the eight pack of athletes. There’s a bunch of them in all the different sports. I can’t wait to go see them. This will actually be the first time watching the other sports at the Olympics.” How will that feel? “I don’t know how that’s going to feel. I think it’s going to hurt a little bit, but it will also be fun because I get to sit back and cheer on everybody. Pacing back and forth. I think I’m going to be so nervous.

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State of Mind of the Atheletes
“The athletes right now are in full force. They are so close. For me back in 2008. This is the most intense part of the entire process, because if you’re not on your ‘A’ game, and at a 150% right now you don’t make it to the Olympics. You don’t make it onto that team. Olympic trials is by far the most nerve racking and intense competition of their entire lives. Even above the Olympics. It’s an intense time right now?”

On Olympic Trials:
“I think that’s something about competitors, especially Olympic and elite athletes thrive one. It’s something that we kind of learn to deal with, and compete better under pressure, but the intensity of the Olympic games and the Olympic trials is one that can either make you or break you. I remember going in to trials thinking of it as just a warm-up and try not to think about that it’s actually the Olympic trials. And that this is either my dream coming true or not.”

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After sustaining a knee injury during a skiing trip in 2010, Johnson’s determined comeback was slow and painful, and on Sunday the 20-year-old Des Moines native made the heart-wrenching decision to call it quits.

Johnson stated: “It’s become obvious my knee is not going to allow me to be in gymnastics any longer and be on that stage competing with the girls.  All I can do now is gracefully retire and thank everybody who has believed in me and been part of this entire journey.”

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One of the most decorated U.S. gymnasts, Johnson won a gold and three silver medals at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, along with three World Championship golds in 2007. Her retirement marks the end of her 2012 Olympic quest, opening up the competition for the U.S. Gymnastics Olympic trials that take place June 28- July 1 in San Jose, California.

U.S. fans will be forever proud, we will miss you Shawn!

United States' Shawn Johnson (R) smiles as her team coach Liang Chow (L) looks on during the women's individual all-around final of the artistic gymnastics event of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing on August 15, 2008. Photo credit: LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images