Local gymnasts prepare for Tokyo

Kara Eaker and Leanne Wong depart Kansas City International Airport to attend the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.

AS OF TODAY-- WE AREOFFICALLY IN THE SINGLEDIGITS UNTIL THE 20-20TOKYO OLYMPICS BEGIN.ONLY NINE DAYS LEFT--ITALL BEGINS WITH THEOPENING CEREMONYFRIDAY, JULY 23RD - RIGHTHERE ON YOUR 41 ACTIONNEWS STATION.AND THIS MORNING-- TWOOF OUR LOCAL GYMNASTSARE OFFICIALLY SETTINGOFF FOR TOKYO.KARA EAKER AND LEANNWONG WILL REPRESENTTEAM U-S-A -- AND KANSASCITYTHEY TRAINED AT GAGEGYMNASTICS -- WITH THEIROWN TEAM RALLYINGBEHIND THEM FOR THEIRSENDOFF ON TUESDAY.41 ACTION NEWSREPORTER JORDAN BETTIS LIVE AT KCI RIGHT NOWAS KARA AND LEANNEHEAD OFF TTOKYO--JORDAN?KARA AND LEANNE ARENOW AT THEIR GATE ASTHEY ARE ON THEIR WAYTO TOKYO.THIS IS THE FIRST TIMETHESE TWO LOCALATHLETES ARE GOING TOTHE OLYMPICS.

SO THEYARE VERY EXCITED.EVEN THOUGH THEY ARECONSIDEREDALTERNATIVES OR WHATTHEY ARE NOW CALLEDREPLACEMENT ATHLETES,THEY HAVE BEEN TRAININGNON STOP.WHATS REALLY COOL ISTHAT THESE GIRLS ARENTALONE, THEY GET TO DOTHIS ONCE AND A LIFETIMEEXPERIENCE TOGETHER,WHICH IS RARE.Kara Eaker, Replacement Athleteforthe U.S. Women's OlympicGymnastics Team"It means so much that sgets to be there with me andthat we get to do this togetherand experience this together."Leanne Wong, Replacement Athletefor the U.S. Women's OlympicGymnastics Team"I am so happy that we havesuch supportive teammatesand families who are so lovingand always supporting us."THEIR COACHES ARE WITHEM ALONG FOR THEJOURNEY.NOW AS OF NOW, YOUWONT SEE KARA ANDLEANNE COMPETE ASTHEY ARE REPLACEMENTATHLETES.BUT IF SOMETHINGHAPPENS TO ANOTHERGYMNASTS, THEIR ROLE ISTO STEP IN IF NEEDED.