Career
Born in Entebbe, Uganda, Okino moved to the United States with her family and began gymnastics at the relatively late age of 9. By 1988, only four years later, she had progressed to the elite level, placing 17th at that year"s junior United States. National Championships. In 1990 Okino moved to Houston to train with Marta and Béla Károlyi.
Okino was part of the United States. team for the 1991 World Gymnastics Championships, winning a silver medal in team finals and a bronze on the balance beam.
However, serious injuries to her spine forced her to miss both the 1992 United States. Nationals and Olympic Trials. In spite of this, she was added to the United States. team for the 1992 Olympics based on her performance at a second, private trial for United States. Gymnastics Federation officials and coaches.
Her mother, Aurelia Matei, is a native of Romania and her father, Francis Okino, is Ugandan. Betty is fluent in Romanian.
This skill came in handy in the gym and international competitions, where she could tell her teammates what was being said about them by their coaches and the Romanian gymnasts.
When the Karolyis discovered Okino understood Romanian, they switched to speaking Hungarian in the gym. Following her retirement from gymnastics, Okino became involved in show business. She has performed with Seaworld and has appeared in many television shows and films, including Moesha, Æon Flux and Undressed.
Okino is known for her long lines and balletic style.
Eponymous Skills.