Jun 23 2008
Which Olympic hopefuls will be named to the team is the million-dollar question of the sport. This year, as in 2004, the majority of the six-member team will be selected by a committee, headed by National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi (wife of legendary coach Bela Karolyi). These experts will look at the competition results of each gymnast, and will strive to create the strongest team possible across all four events.
Team Members Already Named
Two women were named to the team following the Olympic Trials because they placed first and second in the all-around:- Shawn Johnson
Why? Johnson was the 2007 World All-Around Champion, and racked up a steady stream of all-around wins in her first year as a senior competitor: at the American Cup, the Pan American Games, and USA Nationals. She defended her all-around title at the 2008 Nationals, and won the Olympic Trials as well.
Her Biggest Strengths: She does some of the hardest routines being performed in the world, and almost always hits them cold. She also has the enviable status of coming into the Olympics as the reigning world champion.
Shawn Johnson Photo Gallery - Nastia Liukin
Why? Liukin has won the all-around at four national championships (two as a junior in 2003 & 2004, and two as a senior in 2005 & 2006). She finished second all-around at the World Championships in 2005 (losing to teammate Chellsie Memmel by the slimmest margin possible [.001 points]), and has won a total of nine medals at Worlds. Her Biggest Strengths: She can bring in enormous scores on uneven bars and balance beam, and is known for her perfect form and technique throughout all her routines.
Women Considered to Be Locks
Three women are generally considered to be shoo-ins for the team based on their resumes and strong performances at the Olympic Trials:
Why? Sacramone has won a world title on floor (2005) and medaled three times on vault at Worlds (2005-07).
Her Biggest Strengths: She’s been a rock for the USA team on vault and floor, and more recently on beam as well. She can be counted on to do a great routine when the team most needs it.
Why? As mentioned earlier, Memmel was the 2005 World All-Around Champion, and has an impressive medal tally on the other events as well: a gold (2003) and silver (2005) on bars, a silver on beam (2005) and a gold (2003) and silver (2006) from team competition. After battling a shoulder injury throughout 2007, she placed third all-around at the 2008 Nationals and third again at the Olympic Trials
Her Biggest Strengths: She’s known for having big tricks and risky routines, and being a tough-as-nails competitor.
Why? Peszek was also a member of the 2007 world team, and helped the USA team win gold at the Pan American Games as well. At the 2008 American Cup she finished 3rd all-around, and she ranked fourth all-around at 2008 Nationals and Olympic Trials.
Her Biggest Strengths: She is a very good vaulter, and proved at the American Cup and Nationals that she can put up solid scores on every event. She also has some of the toughest tumbling in the world in her floor routine.
More potential Olympic team members
Poll: Who's your favorite potential Olympian?
- Jana Bieger
- Ivana Hong
- Shawn Johnson
- Nastia Liukin
- Chellsie Memmel
- Samantha Peszek
- Alicia Sacramone
- Bridget Sloan
- Shayla Worley
- Another gymnast!
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