The
qualifying round for women’s gymnastics starts today. Team USA is the favorite
to take home gold, just like they have the past two Olympics. However, 1996 was
the last time the Americans won gold in the team competition. Injuries made a
definite dent in the team four years ago, but the team could have still won
without some mistakes towards the end of the meet. The 1996 team was called the
Magnificent Seven and this team is being called the Fab Five. It’s a bit of a
heavy crown to wear when they haven’t even competed yet and all five of them
are Olympic rookies (the Mag Seven didn’t get the name until after winning the
gold). However, four of the Fab Five were on last year’s world championship
team that obliterated the competition and they have plenty of international
experience.
China is the
reigning Olympic champion but that team has dropped off immensely since
Beijing. The Chinese pushed hard to put on a show in Beijing and haven’t seemed
to want it as badly since then. Romania has a long history of excellence in the
sport but has struggled in recent years. Russia will be Team USA’s main
competition and is still angry over missing a medal four years ago. The
Russians finished second at 2011 worlds and analysts say they have been looking
very strong since arriving in London. Keep an eye out for Great Britain’s
Elizabeth Tweedle. She is one of the best in the country’s history and will be
a big crowd pleaser, especially on bars.
The
qualifying round is also the chance for individual gymnasts to qualify for the
all-around competition. Americans Jordyn Weiber and Gabby Douglas should
qualify for the individual competition and are the favorites to take the top
two spots on the podium.
The USA had
one of the best comebacks in Olympic swimming history four years ago in the
4x100-meter relay. I still get chills when I watch Jason Lezak swim those last
50m. This race is supposed to be just as exciting. The Australians are
contenders this time and the French are back as well. Lezak, Michael Phelps and
Cullen Jones are all back to swim the relay, along with Nathan Adrian, who is
now the fastest 100m freestyler for Team USA and the anchor leg. Michael Phelps
is coming off an embarrassing (for him) performance in the 400 IM yesterday. My
guess is he will be very hungry today and will swim strong.
Prime time
coverage is also scheduled to include the women’s synchronized springboard
event. China owned all the diving events in Beijing, winning all eight golds.
The U.S. didn’t win a medal in 2008 but hope to change that with the team of
Kelci Bryant and Abby Johnston.
I won’t give
away any spoilers because I hate when that happens to me. But I will say that
USA men’s basketball is about to conclude their opening game of the tournament
against France. Check any news or social media site to find out the score.
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