Gymnastics Podium Training WAG

[Scintillation]

Ugh, I hope they don't throw in the towel now. It's a massive blow to their chances but you never know, China could have a seriously bad day and they might be able to get on the podium.
No one thought the US men had much of a chance for a medal after the Hamm brothers withdrew in 2008, but they ended up having a fantastic competition and won the bronze.

[ioana]

Thanks for the Iordache news.

I absolutely don't doubt the severity of the problem - but I'm not sure if I agree with Bitang that they have "0% chance for a team medal" - I wonder if she really believes that either?

Average doom-and-gloom pre-emptive damage control...Remember, these are the coaches who would whine about the team's state 8 years ago since "a gymnast of Sabou's level had to be included" on the Worlds team. Bitang has her qualities, but keeping cool under pressure and making level-headed statements ain't it.

ETA from the interview
Aren't you being pessimistic about the team's medal chances?
I'm realistic! We were fighting with Russia, but now we don't have a chance. We will try to get Larisa up on beam tonight, even if she doesn't do her entire routine. I hope the situation will motivate Sandra Izbaşa and Cătălina Ponor to give their best in this competition. For themselves and for Romania!

[Loves_Shizuka]

^ Well, I still think they have a chance. China are wildcards to put it mildly.

[altai_rose]

There's also the not too remote chance that Russia will fall 3+ times on beam.

I'm saying this though I love them to bits!

[Loves_Shizuka]

The US group has started. And yes, they're wearing hot pink.

[Fridge_Break]

As long as they aren't in pink during competition, I'm fine with that.

[Theatregirl1122]

McKayla's doing the Amanar!

ETA: Apparently it was good. She's limiting repetitions. Gabby landed hers with a step back. Jordyn a little low in the air but landed. Raisman small hop. Gabby sat one but Jordyn nearly stuck her next one. McKayla did the Mustafina as well with a small hop.

[BigB08822]

Thrilled for Maroney. Can someone link me the live quick hits they are following?

[Theatregirl1122]

Thrilled for Maroney. Can someone link me the live quick hits they are following?

I've been following on twitter. Inside gymnastics, gymnastike, Nancy Armour, and Alexa Ainsworth are all tweeting live updates along with USA gym. Between the four of them, I pretty much get everything.

Looks like competition order is Aly, Gabby, Jordyn, McKayla. Aly and Jordyn both nearly stuck all of their Amanars (Jordyn stuck one), Gabby landed two and sat one.

Sounds like the USA ladies were proving a point. Lol.

ETA: linup looks to be Aly, Jordyn, Kyla, Gabby on bars. McKayla isn't practicing them.

[Hedwig]

Thanks for posting the twitter summaries, theatergirl. I am not on twitter so this is appreciated!

[Doggygirl]

Yes - ditto that thanks Theatregirl!

[Skittl1321]

As long as they aren't in pink during competition, I'm fine with that.

Surely once they saw the color of the floor (entire gym...) they decided that would be a bad idea.

Then again, regardless of floor color, I think at the Olympics they need to be in red-white-blue.

[Theatregirl1122]

You're welcome!

Here are the examiner quick hits:
http://www.examiner.com/article/quic...ng-at-the-2012

Apparently Beth Tweedle lookes good. Rebecca Tunney had a big crash and is being seen by trainers.

Aly and Jordyn pretty much stuck, Kyla's looked beautiful, and Gabby got Martha cheering.

Video link for the US: http://t.co/JuMVhY1j
I can't watch it so I don't know if it works.

ETA: Beth did an excellent floor routine. Tunney is going on floor so she seems to be okay.

[BigB08822]

Thank god they finally got the live stream working. I wish I could have seen those vaults but beam and floor will suffice.

[Karpenko]

So thrilled to hear about McKayla on vault, the US is ready.

[Theatregirl1122]

Sounds like Maroney is done for the day which probably means Kyla will go in floor prelims. I love Maroney's floor but I couldn't stand to see her lose the chance to do that vault in EF because of an injury on floor, especially when we have a fine floor line up without her so this seems like the best choice.

ETA: Kyla fell on her punch front. Gabby stayed on but was wobbly. I have to say, I'm a bit more worried about beam than bars at this point.

[Loves_Shizuka]

Order was Wieber, Raisman, Ross, Douglas on BB.

[Theatregirl1122]

That can't be the order they are planning to actually go with. I'd die of shock if Gabby anchored beam.

Jordyn solid with one big wobble, apparently some of the connections look faster. Aly solid.

Did Jordyn and Aly go up twice? So the order is: Kyla, Gabby, Jordyn, Aly.

Kyla perfect on her second set, Gabby fell. Aly not even a wobble, stuck the patterson. Jordyn solid.

I don't think there's any way we can afford to use Gabby in team finals.

[BigB08822]

Great beam rotation minus Ross. The order on beam is highly suspect, is Ross really only doing beam in prelim or is the prelim order switched up to allow the 3 AAers the best shot at high scores? I would prefer Ross go after Douglas but maybe Douglas doesn't handle lead off well? Raisman anchoring is not the best, either, IMO. She is solid but wont get a score boost, IMO.

[BigB08822]

I watched the beam lineup and the order was:

Ross, Douglas, Wieber, Raisman.

Not sure where you got that, LoveShizuka.

Gabby wasn't wobbly either. Her leg came up on her back full but other than that she was really really solid.