After 16 long years...
By dorannmwin
@dorannmwin (36392)
United States
August 1, 2012 1:15am CST
How can any American forget about the amazing vault by Kerri Strug in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia for Team USA to win the team gold in ladies gymnastics. That was something that was truly amazing to behold.
Tonight, the Fabulous Five women's gymnastics team of Team USA has again won the Gold Medal for the team event. It has truly been something to behold. McKayla Maroney's fabulous vault was really the first really shining moment for the United States and their very solid scores in the vault were enough to give them a solid start. Then, in the last rotation, the gold medal was mostly between Russia and the United States. Russia had many misses in their floor exercise (their last rotation), the US only had to average 13.5 for each of three gymnasts to secure their gold medal. And it was something that they were able to do.
This, in my opinion has been the highlight of the Olympics so far, even though I have loved the swimming medals and watching the other sports as well, it was great to see the US Ladies do it again after so long.
Were you watching the US Ladies team in their successful quest to gold? Was there any one routine that stood out to you? What did you think about the struggles that Russia had in their final rotation of the night?
1 person likes this
7 responses
@dawnald (85135)
• Shingle Springs, California
4 Aug 12
I missed the first two rotations (coming home from a trip), but what I did see was pretty awesome!
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Aug 12
I have to admit that the first rotation was the one that stands out the most in my mind was actually the vault rotation. I can't even imagine how those girls are able to do that.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
7 Aug 12
I'm very proud of them as well. I especially like the way that Jordyn Weiber was able to bounce back from her disappointment during the qualifying.
@ram_cv (16513)
• India
1 Aug 12
I remember the heroic effort from Kerri Strug. It was inspiring to watch and really lays the benchmark of what is required at this level apart from talent, a lot of heart and desire.
Unfortunately, here in India, the coverage was there only for the male gymnastics competition, so was able to watch only that and it was China which dominated the match.
Cheers!
Ram
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I'm sorry to hear that you didn't have the opportunity to watch the ladies compete, it really was something amazing. There was not a completely heroic effort like Kerri Strug gave in 1996, but it was beautiful to watch none the less.
@artemeis (4194)
• China
1 Aug 12
I have to say that the ladies' gymnastics team event is really eventful especially for my country's young girls who had committed so many errors in their various discipline. I felt sorry and sad for all of them who tried too hard to make good their teammates' mistakes.
I cannot help blaming the coaches for not doing enough to encourage and calm them on the sidelines when they started to fumble and tumble. The girls were mentally weak thereon.
As for USA, I have to say that they deserved the gold when they turn in a zero error performance in all of their disciplines. They were indeed admirable and I just felt that the competition will be more nail biting if our girls did not loose their nerves at the crucial moment.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Aug 12
You are right about nerves having played a major role in all of the gymnastics events this year. For the US, it really fell both ways, the women did beautifully, but the men qualified at the top and completely choked on the day when it really mattered.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
1 Aug 12
The gymnastics have been amazing. I am in London and am enjoying watching the games albeit from a television! I do support the USA after Jamaica and Great Britain! Lol. We have the swimming on now and I am sure that the USA will do so well. Britain won their first two gold medals today so the country is celebrating.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I can only begin to imagine the country's celebration for winning their first home gold medals.
However, I would bet that the way they celebrated was far different from the way that people in Lexington celebrated in April when our Kentucky Wildcats won the National Championship in basketball.
@saberblue (33)
• China
1 Aug 12
well,congratulations to the USA.the gymnastics's team has done a very good job.glad to share your joy wiht us.However our chinese girls didn't do well in this game which made me a little bit upset.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Aug 12
I understand what you mean about being disappointed about the outcome for the women from China. I've been waiting to see the USA Women win it again since I was just sixteen years old, literally half a life-time for me.
@monkmano (585)
• Canada
1 Aug 12
I didn't watch this event live but am going to turn on CTV for the highlights, theyll likely mention it but being canadian they focus on our team. Canada hasn't done much yet so I thought it was strange when I switched to the american channel a lot more highlights of different events. Also, I was 5 when they won last time so was likely playing with a barbie when that happened... :P
I did get to see the mens gymnastics, the us men werent so lucky, shut out that was a surprise over the great britain team. when are the individuals, do you know? I love gymnastics and don't want to miss anymore. on the USA and canada thing, i find i cheer a bit for USA in swimming when there arent canadians a lot of athletes are american and canadian so good to see them do well. one place where there will be a big rivalry is in womens rowing us/canada both want gold, will you watch this event too? cheers :)
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
3 Aug 12
The men's all-around individual was Wednesday night, the women's all-around individual was tonight (I haven't watched it yet). I could be wrong, but I assume that the finals for the individual events will start on Friday night and conclude on Saturday or Sunday night.
