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Olympian to lead pledge at Dem convention

Gymnast Johnson will take stage before Obama's acceptance speech

Image: Shawn Johnson
Shawn Johnson, who earned for Olympic medals in Beijing, shows her gold medal after winning the balance beam final.
Lluis Gene / AFP - Getty Images
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updated 9:34 p.m. ET Aug. 27, 2008

DES MOINES, Iowa - Barack Obama’s presidential campaign says Olympic gymnast Shawn Johnson will lead the Pledge of Allegiance at the Democratic National Convention on Thursday.

Obama is expected to give his acceptance speech Thursday night at Invesco Field at Mile High stadium in Denver.

The 16-year-old Johnson won four medals at the recent Olympics in Beijing, including a gold in the women’s balance beam competition.

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She begins a 40-city gymnastics tour next week.

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