Kidsday interviews "Dancing With the Stars" champion Shawn Johnson

We met gold medal winning Olympic gymnast and “Dancing with the Stars” champion Shawn Johnson at her hotel when she was in Manahttan recently.

Shawn is the Wii Games: Summer 2010 Ambassador for the Wii video game tournament (http://www.wiigames2010.com/).

Everyone – kids to adults – can compete playing some of the hottest Wii games. The tournament starts at Liberty State Park in New Jersey.

Besides talking with Shawn we even played Wii bowling with her.

Here is part of our interview with Shawn:

How does it feel to be the ambassador of the Wii games Summer 2010?

It’s pretty cool being the ambassador. It’s fun to be a part of Wii. Do you play Wii? Just being a part of the whole Wii games Summer 2010 is really cool. It’s a fun competition and it’s getting people up and active.

Are you thinking of participating in any of those competitions and which ones?

The Wii competition? Well being the ambassador I’m supposed to cheer everyone on. But I would love to participate. I would like to do the Bully.

Do you have a Wii at home and what is your favorite game to play?

I do. I have the original Wii at home and my favorite is Bully. I’m not very good, but I’ll give it a shot.

What do you like best about the Wii?

That it makes activity and kind of exercise fun. Especially for kids and stuff. Video games used to be nothing but sitting on the couch and staring at a TV. But now it kind of gets you up and moving and having a good time.

Do you think the Wii could have a role in helping overweight kids?

I definitely think so. Wii’s going in a great direction with child obesity. They have the Wii Fit now where you can do different sports and exercises, yoga. There’s a really fun one where you can hula hoop. It’s hard, but it keeps you moving and it’s definitely going in the right direction.