About Last Night: A Promise Fulfilled
Tonight Team USA delivered precisely what they had been promising all year by taking the team title at the 2012 Olympic Games in a decisive five point lead over Russia. Is anyone surprised by this win? Truly surprised? I shouldn’t think so.
To be frank, it has never quite occurred to me to think the result would be otherwise this year, given the depth of talent and competition-readiness the US have demonstrated in the pre-season. And if you were even slightly doubtful, seeing three of the team qualify second, third and fourth as individuals with massive individual scores in the qualification stages, should have convinced you.
You would think this would make the outcome boring, somehow. But for me, it doesn’t. There is something magical and satisfying in seeing such a well-orchestrated, well-oiled machine carry its task through to the finish. And this is exactly what Team USA did this week. Since the opening of their competition, the US have produced 28 routines without a fall A promise well and truly fulfilled.
They have been in this position in the past and not been able to follow through. But things are different this year. What Team USA bring to these games, aside from glorious good health- particularly compared to their 2008 counterparts-is total and utter confidence in what they can do. The routines they have done have been repeatedly performed in high-pressure competitions in the US pre-selection meets. The Amanars they sky-rocket have been tried and tested repeatedly. Their skills and their nerves have been tested at home, in front of crowds, cameras and an international public.
Of course, one could argue that this has always been the case for the US women, and they have still faltered in finals, but this year’s bunch have one more edge- extraordinary collective psychological confidence such as I have not seen in a team this decade except, perhaps Russia in 2010.
This is where the US’s depth truly resides. Raisman and Wieber exude immense competitive calm. An unfazed Maroney often greets those who marvel at her vault prowess with a rueful grin and a shrug. Why be nervous when it comes so easy? Even Ross has a quiet, measured competitive calm when it counts. And then there is Gabby Douglas. Before the Games people were worried about the competitive mettle of Gabby Douglas and maybe rightfully so, if her senior career as a whole is anything to go by. But if you look, really look, it is clear that with every success, Douglas has grown in confidence and assuredness.
And she is the kind of girl who does brilliantly swaddled by a team of confident talents. I think this works as a challenge to her. She seems to have a delightful, childlike attitude of, ‘if they can do it, I a sure as heck going to do it, too’. I truly believe that behind the bubbly, youthful “I am just so delighted to be here’ talented new girl persona is a fierce competitor. And every successful performance might just be the food that nourishes Douglas’s psyche. My theory will certainly be tested as she vies for the all around crown.
Funnily, while it has been the Amanar-apolooza that has been considered a massive part of the US’s winning edge, it was actually the floor exercise that gave the team its incredible edge tonight. Their combined score of 45.366 on that event was huge in defeating Russia, where Grshina’s problematic performance and Afanasyeva’s fall gave Russia only 41.599. Romania too, could only muster 44.700. Aly Raisman, the toughest female tumbler in the world right now, gave her team an immense 15.300 on that event- even with a watered down routine. Gabby Douglas’s 15.066 certainly didn’t hurt either.
While they might not have been able to quite catch them, Russia had a chance to finish closer to Team USA at the end of the meet, if a troubled final floor rotation that ended with a crash from world floor champion Ksenia Afanasyeva on her last pass (double pike) and a disastrous routine from Grishina hadn’t brought a sad end to their team medal bid. As expected, despite some brilliant performers, this is not the team that dominated in 2010. They simply lack the all around depth of a team like the USA this year.
It was exciting and joyous to see how team Romania rallied to earn themselves a medal. It was probably not quite the medal they wanted and, if Iordache was in full health, might not have been the one they might have won, but it is indeed wonderful to have this revitalised national program back in the game. Things can only go up from here. Izbasa and Ponor delivered beautifully on their strong events. Ponor dismissed her critics from the qualifications by taking the top beam score, while Izbasa ranked second in the floor scores. And B&B learned from qualifications and put Bulimar up on floor, where she hit her delightful routine easily.
And given Romania’s rapid improvement with the return of B&B, there was always going to be a team that missed out this year as the superpowers numbers became four. Someone had to come fourth, and this year it was China. Beijing’s winners became London’s ribbon-holders. It was not the result China would want, but a result that has been threatened this year. It has been difficult to watch China’s national program in action this year, with its clear lack of depth in the senior ranks. Having a period of re-adjustment and re-assessment as the seniors grow older and the juniors still prepare for the years ahead this year could not have been more badly timed for China.
The team that could and should be proudest tonight for exceeding all expectations and promise is team Canada. There was a question mark over Canada’s ability to even qualify for team finals without team star Peng Peng Lee and now Canada find themselves finished in fifth place behind the four gymnastics super-powers. Congratulations Team Canada, you have found depth and consistency over the last year or two and this finish should silence those who thought you didn’t have it in you. It was floor that did it, for Canada, where they actually finished third in the rankings behind US and Romania, helped along by Moors and Black’s terrific tumbling prowess and scoring potential.
Team Great Britain might have hoped for better after their fifth-place finish in 2011 in Tokyo- particularly after the success of their MAG boys last night and the fact that the are at home. But to put things in perspective, they did not even make finals in Beijing, and Great Britain’s program has improved immensely over the last quad. Beth Tweddle once again ripped out the top bar score of the competition. Please, please, Beth, keep another routine in the tank for bars finals! All around stars Whelan and Tunney delivered for team GB too.
Teams Italy and Japan rounded out the bottom of the eight in the team competition. Team Italy is the terrier of women’s gymnastics. Tenacious and dogged, they sink their teeth into the back of the leg, they worry and growl and they do not let go. No matter how tough things look for them throughout the season, no matter the injuries, the lack of depth at times, the incredibly juniors who do not always make it as seniors, when it comes down to the wire, Italy always produce. They make make finals, their individuals impress and they are always daring and exciting. They will be happy with this result.
Japan on the other hand, seemed a deeper, stronger program in 2008 in Beijing, where they finished fifth as a team. The following year they fielded their first all around medalist in Koko Tsurumi. Things were looking good. But somehow, in the last couple of years, Japan has seemed to lack confidence. They have difficulty, they execution, they have strong all arounders, but they do not seem to have the confidence to follow through. If they can get that back, they could be formidable.
This is how it played out;
USA 183.596
Russia 178. 530
Romania 176. 414
China 174.430
Canada 170.804
Great Britain 170.495
Italy 167.930
Japan 166.646
Congratulations to all the teams, and particularly to the winners of tonight’s meet, the USA.
Article: Brigid McCarthy
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22 Comments
Holly-LA
So excited for the USA girls! I was also surprised and happy to see Russia smile on the medal stand. This is a huge improvement from Komova’s pouting circa Worlds 2011. Good for her and the team.
31 Jul 2012 08:07 pm (@Twitter)
Gustavo
Do you know if Ellie Black was awarded a new Connection Value on floor? You (or one of your writers) mentioned the possibility before the competition started of her getting 0.3 for her 2.5 through to triple full.
31 Jul 2012 09:07 pm (@Twitter)
Laura Marcella
It was a magnificent meet! I’m glad I watched the live feed because NBC’s coverage tonight won’t include nearly as many of these wonderful routines. Canada was so much fun to watch!! I hope they get better and better. It’ll be interesting to see what they can bring in the next quadrennium!
How did Gabby get the reputation for being nervy? She was wonderful at the 2011 Worlds, the American Cup, Nationals and Trials this year.
I love it that the USA ladies won gold without any major debilitating injuries going on. There’s something to be said for naming the Olympic team at Trials and eliminating another grueling trials at camp just before the Games. Way to go, USA!!!
I’m thrilled for Romania, too. I really thought they’d sneak in for silver, but they’ve been on the Olympic podium since 1976. Impressive!!
Russia’s bars were exquisite. When I saw how low their execution scores were, I got really worried for the USA. I actually thought the Russian ladies were underscored on bars. They were just lovely there!
McKayla’s vault execution score deserved a 10. But I was thrilled to see a 9.733! For once the judges weren’t stingy and rewarded her spectacular Amanar. Can’t wait for vault finals!!!
I want Beth Tweddle to win bars final so so much!!!
31 Jul 2012 09:07 pm (@LauraMarcella)
kendo
The Russians definitely weren't at their best on bars. A lot more bent elbows and leg separations than we normally see... they were just a bit 'off'.
31 Jul 2012 09:07 pm (@Twitter)
Cee
WTH was up with McKayla's execution score?! Where di they take the deductions? I was genuinely worried there!
Gabby's rep possibly comes from her 2011 Nationals where she fell off the beam three times. I haven't seen her Tokyo routines yet though.
WIsh I could've seen the other countries! I thought Larisa was jobbed a bit on bars--where were the deductions?
GO USA!!!!!!
01 Aug 2012 05:08 am (@Twitter)
Sarah
Re: Iordache on bars, I believe from watching the routine a couple of times, the coach spotting her on a release may have touched her stomach as she finished the move. It was hard to tell from the camera angle, but that would be my best guess as to the reason for her low-ish score.
01 Aug 2012 06:08 am (@Twitter)
Fargo
Thank you for the Canadian love! I know that all Canadian gym fans are absolutely elated with this finish! Those ladies went all in and left it all on the competition floor. They really hit when it counted most and had the meet of their lives! Watching was a thrill and I am still goosebumpy just thinking about it!
31 Jul 2012 10:07 pm (@Twitter)
BBC
Hello all, I’m a newcomer to watching gymnastics. I watched the men’s team final yesterday and I’m going to watch the women’s today after I get back home.
If any of you guys can answer my question, I’d appreciate it. I was wondering if gymnastic events were performed simultaneously? Like you would have a member of one country doing vault, and members of another doing floor exercise, at the same time. I was watching the men’s final yesterday and I noticed the crowds were cheering even when the gymnast wasn’t doing any moves. I felt like they were cheering for someone else on the floor. This happened the entire competition and I was quite confused. Is it true that events happen simultaneously, and it only appears to be one gymnast at a time because television obviously can only show one gymnast at a time? Thanks all.
01 Aug 2012 12:08 am (@Twitter)
Sheherezade
Yes, all the events are going on simultaneously.
01 Aug 2012 02:08 am (@Twitter)
Sarah
Where is NBC's Al when you need him? :)
01 Aug 2012 06:08 am (@Twitter)
Sorator
Yep, they typically have someone on each of the 4 apparatuses at a time (though the group on vault usually finishes pretty quickly compared to the others).
Not sure about the men, if they have someone on all 6 or just on 4 at a time, but they definitely do have at least 4 going at once.
02 Aug 2012 02:08 am (@Twitter)
Samantha
To answer the previous question, yes, there are gymnasts on all events at the same time (except when we get to event finals later in the week). While USA is competing on bars, Romania is competing on beam, for example, and another team on floor, and another on vault, all going on at once. Unfortunately, with the horrible NBC TV coverage, you wouldn’t know there was anyone else competing but the US and occasionally a Russian– but only if they can squeeze one in!
Glad you’re taking an interest in gymnastics. Tip: watch the live feed online for better coverage.
01 Aug 2012 04:08 am (@Twitter)
Claudia
Congratualtions to Team USA! Being well prepared far in advance definitely payed off. I think a lot of the other teams had trouble with their recently upgraded routines. Although I don’t doubt they are capable of performing them, doing it in an Olympic Arena seemed to be a bit too much last night for some of them.
I do hope Afanasyeva will perform a complete routine during floor finals. It was so pretty up until that last pass, it deserves to be shown and judged in full, so Aly can be it fair and square!
01 Aug 2012 06:08 am (@Twitter)
jenni
The result was not surprising and i think the best of the day should win. And this time,the us team was the best. Although i am not a fan of them, this was a good show from the team. I´m glad wieber could become an olympic champion, because she deserve that for her hard work.
I was really surprised the Russian had so many mistakes, the end on floor was just the outcome of a competition, what was not like they wanted. I hate everyone talking about the Russians being so sad, although they won something. It is really, and that is the funny thing about it, the same with the Americans in 2008. In 2008 the Americans fell and China won, in 2012 the Russian fell, USA won. No one is happy about being second, when you had the chance of getting gold. Russia had the chance, but they had to be perfect and they were not. ( about 2008 don´t answer USA deserved Gold)
Congratulations to all medal winners, espeially the US!
01 Aug 2012 11:08 am (@Twitter)
Guest
Just a comment: USA is the only team, having no one seriously injured. I know about Maroney, but she was capable of everything.
Russia: Mustafina is not in the shape she was in 2010, without her Amanar. Afanaseva had a injury too, i am not so sure about what she had.
Romania: Iordache start was in question. She cannot fulfill the potential she had.
China: Yao Jinan is just in pain, her muscle is not useful in anyway. She has no power at all. Sui Lu has a injury too and cannot put a whole difficult floor routine together.
To me it seems it all could become a little different, when all gymnast were in shape. I just wish that it could be a competition were nobody is injured and it really comes down to who are the best team and not which team is in the best shape. I know this is just a dream.
Congratulations to the US!
01 Aug 2012 11:08 am (@Twitter)
Sonya Natalia
I watched the Chinese feed, and seeing the Chinese girls’ reaction at the end (which they showed a lot of, unlike the all-American coverage I’ve seen since) was devastating. Loved He Kexin mopping up the tears of the others like a mother hen.
But I am very happy with the results.
However, I just realised that not only is it bad Australia didn’t qualify, but the two teams they consistently beat at the Commonwealth Games DID, and hugely outperformed them. That’s a little scary for 2014.
01 Aug 2012 12:08 pm (@Twitter)
BBC
I am glad Romania medalled even without Porgras!
01 Aug 2012 02:08 pm (@Twitter)
kim
Team USA was awesome and they absolutely deserve their win. It WAS a boring competition though. How are you supposed to get excited when gold and silver fall (without question) exactly how everyone expected? NBC did a terrible job covering the competition for bronze, and THAT would’ve been exciting to watch.
01 Aug 2012 06:08 pm (@Twitter)
Sorator
NBC did a terrible job covering anyone other than the US, as always - which should, as always, be completely unsurprising.
02 Aug 2012 02:08 am (@Twitter)
Jack
Congrats to the U.S. women, but I was disappointed with what I saw. As powerful and technically sound as they are, none of our gymnasts (or anybody else’s, for that matter) showed the grace, fluidity, and personality that marked prior greats. All the acrobatics in the world don’t make up for that. How I long for the days when gymnastics was as much about artistry as circus tricks! But even by recent standards, this team disappoints. Where is the beautiful fluidity of Liukin? Or the spunk and charm of Shawn Johnson?
One more comment: the new format limiting teams to only three competitors on each apparatus is awful. The fact is, under the new rules, the U.S. could have won the gold with only its top three.
02 Aug 2012 02:08 am (@Twitter)
BBC
I watched the Canadian broadcast, which focused a lot on the Canadian team. It’s awesome that Canada finally got up there, finishing fifth!
02 Aug 2012 04:08 am (@Twitter)
S
Thought people might enjoy this hilarious lego animation of the team final!
http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/video/2012/aug/01/brick-womens-gymnastics-usa-gold-video
03 Aug 2012 09:08 am (@Twitter)