Gymnastic news #22 - Tokyo or bust

[FiveRinger]

It has been detailed multiple times in this thread that basically no one had the chance to do what Jade did. Essentially only Jade. (Maybe Riley but she was clearly not in shape to do that at that time with everything going on in her life.) And if Jade had not done this, we'd still have 6 spots, none of them would have her name on it. So one spot has her name on it which wouldn't if she hadn't qualified for a nominative spot. She did. She secured her place. But now that's her place. Why is that controversial?

We're talking about one gymnast taking up two spots at no benefit to the US team? Why would the US want that? What is the value?

The whole thing is self-absorbed, opportunistic, however you want to look at it. Jade had a chance to qualify to the Olympics outside of the team and she took it. She took the chance or made the calculation (perspective) that she might not make the team, or that getting to the Olympics, however necessary, was more important. Now that she has a spot that no one else can use she has decided that she wants to compete for Team USA and potentially bump someone else. In the end, that's what it is. Her already earned spot would disappear if she earned a spot on the team. And now that the press has kind of put that together she doesn't want to do press conferences. All of these things are her choices. If you had the balls to do it, stand in it. Answer the questions and just say it....I wanted to go to the Olympics. Team USA is so deep I didn't know if I'd have any other chance. But I know that if I get on the team, that is my absolute best chance for a gold medal. Even if I go as an individual, I still have to compete against my teammates (especially Simone) in my best events and there's no guarantee that I'd get to the final.

Just say it. I'd respect Jade more if she did. She tried to exploit the rules and it sounds like Tom Forster isn't going for it. The Olympic Committee shouldn't either, in my opinion. Send all the girls. As many as they can. Compete in the qualifications and earn your shot. Whoever ranks the highest competes in the AA and individual finals. It should be that easy.

 

[ilovepaydays]

Remember when Mikulak was insanely good on pommel horse? Like he made the World Championship PH final in 2018 and finished 4th? Those were fun times.

 

[skipaway]

Why would US Men’s Gymnastics take Mikulak if his “floating elbow bone chip” can lock up his elbow, causing excruciating pain, and a 1-3 week recovery period? Seems like too much of a risk, unless they pick a really strong alternate.

 

[ryanj07]

Sam has always been inconsistent, even when he not injured. He and Orozco on teams together used to drive me insane. I wouldn’t let him near a 4 person team but that’s just me haha

 

[Braulio]

Sam has always been inconsistent, even when he not injured. He and Orozco on teams together used to drive me insane. I wouldn’t let him near a 4 person team but that’s just me haha

That combo costed USA a team medal in London 2012 and Mikulak again costed them a medal in Rio

I think there is no point taking an injured and not in shape Sam, sorry, yes he is one of the best domestically for like 10 years but what if they still give him a spot on the team and injures? unless the US gives him the extra quota as individual and left him off the team but I doubt it, USA will be throwing out to the trash can a potential pommel horse medal with that extra quota for the specialist

I have been a fan of Sam but I am realistic and things are not looking good and I say again, there is no point to send him to another Olympics if his level is off

 

[ilovepaydays]

DANG! I was really enjoying Yul’s pommel horse......

Honestly, I’m fine with them putting Briones on the team. Actually, the U.S. should use this as a buildup to 2024, IMHO. Paris is only three years away. Start giving them the experience they need NOW.

 

[Rukia]

I love Yul but his hb is and his ph here...oof...

 

[ilovepaydays]

Geesh. Glad Mikulak did better on rings, but is his endurance really going to improve that much in six weeks?

 

[Braulio]

Geesh. Glad Mikulak did better on rings, but is his endurance really going to improve that much in six weeks?

it has to improve for trials

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Oh I don’t think they want it. But they have to let her try because there’s no rule preventing it. I think she didn’t plan on it initially to be honest. Having a pretty sure team gold is tempting if one qualifies. I give her shot less than 50 percent.

And I’ve pointed out that 5 vs 6 gymnasts is unlikely to affect the medal count for the US. Maybe I’m wrong about that?

Sure they're letting her try. But I'm saying they won't choose her and I don't think they should. Your contention seems to be why shouldn't they?

Not sure it'll affect the overall medal count for the US but it's hard to know. Jade could falter on an event in quals and not make finals. One example would be that Grace McCallum had the second highest beam score last night. Kara Eaker finished 4th at the last worlds on Beam. There are many US gymnasts who can be competitive on beam (Suni, Jordan), but if we are leave Grace or Kara at home to let Jade take up two spots, the US could be sacrificing a second beam medal.

There's just no way to know what will happen. We don't know who will be great on the biggest stage and who will be slightly less than great. Jordyn Weiber didn't make the AA finals.

 

[ilovepaydays]

it has to improve for trials

Problem is, the college guys have been competing all spring and have been able to work on their competition nerves and performing full routines. Sam supposedly has all these years of experience - he has to be pretty much ready to go NOW.

 

[skipaway]

Why does Sam carry around his own personal chalk bucket?

 

[ilovepaydays]

Why does Sam carry around his own personal chalk bucket?

Don’t they all have their own chalk bucket? Maybe it’s YKW protocols?

 

[just tuned in]

Sam has always been inconsistent, even when he not injured. He and Orozco on teams together used to drive me insane. I wouldn’t let him near a 4 person team but that’s just me haha

But he still has the audacity to flex his biceps after a so-so set and blow kisses to the crowd.

 

[pollyanna]

Sam’s not making the team. He’s just too beat up and past his prime. Even in his prime he choked too many times on the world stage.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Don’t they all have their own chalk bucket? Maybe it’s YKW protocols?

Pretty sure they've all had their own chalk this year for YKW protocol.

 

[skatfan]

Pretty sure they've all had their own chalk this year for YKW protocol.

The women didn’t last night. Different rules?

 

[ilovepaydays]

Allen Bower is a really good gymnast, but his biggest problem with making this Olympic team is that he isn’t GREAT at any one or two apparatuses. Shame his OU coaches didn’t pick up the clue phone on this.

Bower might end up on this team just by being healthy enough, though.......

 

[skipaway]

Don’t they all have their own chalk bucket? Maybe it’s YKW protocols?

Ok, makes sense..I just haven’t noticed the others carrying a bucket..

 

[Theatregirl1122]

The women didn’t last night. Different rules?

They all did earlier this year. Possibly it's not still a rule but some gymnasts are still more comfortable sticking with it.

 

[ilovepaydays]

All right - just make the Olympic team spots for Moldauer, Wiskus, Malone, and Briones. Individual spots go to Penev and Nerdy Penn State Pommel Horse Guy. Anyone disagree with me so far?

 

[Braulio]

Alec Yoder 15.050 Pommel Horse with 6.50 D

Send him as specialist, though the guy with glasses also is very good in the same event

 

[skatfan]

They all did earlier this year. Possibly it's not still a rule but some gymnasts are still more comfortable sticking with it.

The hilarious thing is that they are all hand slapping each other so I’m not sure why separate chalk is a thing.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

All right - just make the Olympic team spots for Moldauer, Wiskus, Malone, and Briones. Individual spots go to Penev and Nerdy Penn State Pommel Horse Guy. Anyone disagree with me so far?

We have 5 spots. 4 team, 1 specialist.

 

[Braulio]

All right - just make the Olympic team spots for Moldauer, Wiskus, Malone, and Briones. Individual spots go to Penev and Nerdy Penn State Pommel Horse Guy. Anyone disagree with me so far?

I disagree

The US only has 5 spots, 4 team plus the specialist so is either Nerdy guy or Alec Yoder. Penev is a looooooong shot for a floor medal

 

[Braulio]

But he still has the audacity to flex his biceps after a so-so set and blow kisses to the crowd.

Hey! he still winks to the camera so that gives him automatic 0.2 to his E Score and also gives Tim Dagget something more to show his fandom

 

[ilovepaydays]

We have 5 spots. 4 team, 1 specialist.

I disagree

The US only has 5 spots, 4 team plus the specialist so is either Nerdy guy or Alec Yoder. Penev is a looooooong shot for a floor medal

OOPS! Them I’m taking Penev off my Olympic team, then. Nerdy Penn State Pommel Horse Guy is still young - I believe he’s only about 22.

No one disagrees with me about the team part yet?
————————

Around 2017, I would have thought that Modi would have ended up in a better spot than where he is right now. I thought that he would have a really good rivalry with Moldauer. SIGH.

 

[VGThuy]

It must be insane to try to pick a men’s team with a four member team when there are six apparatuses and the code has made it near impossible to be truly exceptional on all 6.

 

[Rukia]

It must be insane to try to pick a men’s team with a four member team when there are six apparatuses and the code has made it near impossible to be truly exceptional on all 6.

Yeah, 4 member teams on men's side makes zero sense

 

[Theatregirl1122]

The hilarious thing is that they are all hand slapping each other so I’m not sure why separate chalk is a thing.

People have done infinite weird things this year?

@ilovepaydays, I disagree with you about the team because I'm nowhere near ready to make a call and I don't think taking the top 4 AA is necessarily a great call. But I don't have anything to put up at this point.