Ariel Publicity

Carly was born February 4, 1988 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and now lives in Allen, Texas with her mom and sister. She began gymnastics in 1994 after attending a cousin's birthday party at Elite Gymnastics in Baton Rouge. Less than a decade later, she made her debut at the senior international elite level, winning back-to-back American Cup titles in 2003 and 2004, as well as the title of 2004 US Co-National Champion. Carly was also a part of the 2003 World Championship team where she won a silver medal in the all-around and helped lead the US to their first ever World Championship team gold medal! It was also at this competition that Carly's signature beam dismount (an Arabian double front) was officially named the Patterson.

At the 2004 Olympic Games, Carly and teammates Mohini Bhardwaj, Annia Hatch, Terin Humphrey, Courtney Kupets, and Courtney McCool earned the silver medal in the team competition. Carly also picked up a silver on her favorite event, the beam. But it was during the all-around competition that she earned the most prestigious title in gymnastics: Olympic Champion. Carly is the first American woman to win an Olympic gold in the all-around in a fully attended Olympic Games.

In 2006, Patterson decided to retire from Gymnastics after having lower back issues and to pursue a life long passion of becoming a recording artist. Since the games, Patterson has stayed occupied with event appearances (gymnastics related and otherwise), landed a number of high profile corporate sponsorships, appeared in a Mobile ESPN commercial aired during Super Bowl XL, appeared on Celebrity Duets (produced by Simon Cowell of American Idol fame) and finished her authorized biography, which is currently in bookstores nation wide.