It is time for the real NBC trio!
It is ten seconds in, and NBC is already letting us know that anything less than gold will be hammered home as a failure. Shots of them all crying. Martha looking like a witch at camp. This fluff with the shots of them as children is rather adorable, but could always use more Maroney. The shot of baby Gabby smiling is made of total win.
Jordyn's vault looked a tad lower in the warm up. It has all looked like work for about a year now.
Seen for the second time today...best vault of Aly Raisman's life. The form was not nearly as bad as it typically is. You have to respect the girl's work ethic, determination and mental strength. Mihai is talking to Aly from behind the barrier...I'm terrified about the Bela Karolyi parallel forming in my mind.
Aly is very supportive of the other girls..genuinely so. The girl may be fugly, but she does appear genuinely nice.
"She weighs like five pounds."- Mommy Dearest on Gabby Douglas
Gabby's hand guard opens up and she nailed it. 15.900 on vault...very impressive.
Watching this meet back, I do feel for Jordyn Wieber and can't help be feel her coaches are to blame for the routine construction. I said it at the American Cup. I am not a coach. If I know they are never going to be credited, the man whose profession is it should've had the foresight. Jordyn's beam routinne would be perfect for Ludmilla Yezhova or anyone with finesse. You don't give a powerful brick house a routine designed for a bendy finesse artist.
Solid Amanar from Wieber. It is not as dynamic or explosive as it was at the World Championships, but it is very good. Very good.
McMayla My Darling Maroney- HUGE vault and a huge step forward. Let's pray she saves her Day 2 trials performance for finals. Martha is watching her golden vaulter like a hawk. Best Mustafina I've ever seen. McKayla is made of total win. Give some of it Sasha Cohen.
Tim is underestimating Russia on bars. If Grishina shows up in finals, things will get very interesting.
Rebecca Tunney is much better than the token waif Team GB took to Beijing. This routine is quite cautious, but successful. I miss the requisite flow and beauty of balance beam. This is something we sorely missed all day in the beam routines. There needs to be a rhythm deduction in the next code that is seriously enforced.
Token Bela fluff. I live for the way he can turn on his persona for the cameras.
Bela is fascinated by the brilliant Jewess Aly Raisman with the well structured mind. She reminds him of the great Phoebe Mills. He would've paid six figures to steal him from her coaches. One of the best bar routines Aly has ever done. Is it a good bar routine? It is not as bad as it was two years ago. I live for Aly's mothers and the curious father. OMG this is an Olympic moment. The reactions of the people around them are priceless.
Rita Wieber Lohan...such a fashionista.
"Did Mihai Brestyan study bars under Simona Amanar?'-Margaret Thatcher
14.166 for Raisman.
NBC needs a Martha cam for ratings.
Jordyn Wieber has struggled with this routine for two years, yet John Geddert has not changed it. The same errors and deductions are the ones she made at the 2011 American Cup.
"These US female gymnasts do not play, and they are hot. They're like the Olympic Spice Girls.'-Bethenny Frankel
Did Aly's mom drop the f-bomb earlier? Do we love her more for it?
Kyla Ross is not quite exquisite, as her feet and toes are not locked out to Mostepanova standards. Just ask Nastia, those toes made up for those giant swings. Kyla is steady and reliable...like a Ford Taurus.
This camera angle is far for forgiving to the American girls on bars. If Gabby stays with Chow any longer, she will get a legit dead hang. That is when you know you've made it as an Asian. Aly is so supportive of everyone! The rest could give a shit.
"I'm already living for Oprah's Next Chapter when she visits Gabby and Mom."- A Dedicated Reader
Oprah's right hand, Sheri Salata, is already tweeting about Gabby. It is done!!!!
Facebook is telling me Chellsie Memmel got engaged today. Kudos to Chellsie.
"OMG Oprah just called Gabby her secret daughter on twitter."-West Palm Bitch
"Wait, so Gabby was actually transported from Oprah's Africa school?'-Uschi Keszler
Kyla Ross- girl grows by the day. That was a Nelli Kim leap connection. Steady. I'd put her up on beam in team finals over Jordyn.
Gabby, like Shawn Johnson, knows her to turn on the smiley persona. I love that she just admitted that her old coaches weren't cutting it. Oprah is eating up this single mom fluff piece right now. Gabby is definitely likable.
"Gabby needs her teeth fixed to smile that much on national TV in HD.'-A Fabulous Jewess
"Nice teeth!"-Mommy Dearest
Gabby- small check on her series. Stuck back full. She is going to make everyone white knuckle team finals. Clutch the weave! This is the event Gabby originally stood out on as a baby elite. Switch ring...the back leg was not cute. How are her coaches the rejects from the Chinese National Training Center? Did they miss the Yang Bo leap class? Maybe she learned it at the old gym, where we know they weren't cutting it.
Jo Jo- Solid series. This Yezhova routine was never going to work. The fact that Geddert is shocked that Jordyn didn't get questionable skills and connections is rich, as she has been lacking in the basics for quite some time and they've only deteriorated as she has gotten closer to the Olympic Games. The leaps are clearly not working. Martha needs to send Shannon, her old scruchies, her lifestyle and her OCD around the country to work on the leaps, extension and finishing touches of the American beam routines. Not PC Shannon, real bitch Shannon who was crazy enough to win Olympic Gold at 72 years old with a worn out body. Jordyn did not bomb today...this is about a coaching error and focusing on big skills too early as opposed to developing basics first and skills later. This is why Geddert is more of a JO coach.
"I'm trying to decide if I'm dumber for actually beginning to understand the traffic light system."-A Dedicated Reader
It is interesting that John told Jo she was in trouble re: making AA finals. The switch side has been getting sketchier and scarier all year long (last year too.)
If only Alicia had Aly's toughness and work ethic. Maybe we could've actually seen if the Chinese babies could've held up to the pressure in the final rotation. I need Lynn Raisman cam. The best part about the Patterson dismount is that NO ONE remembers the 2004 Olympic Champion.
What is the American tradition on floor? The Courtney Kupets crab walk?!
"I just hope Aly Raisman retires after this because she might look like Golda Meier without the cigarettes. Her mother must starve herself to stay that thin. No matzo for Mrs. Raisman."-Margaret Thatcher
Mrs. Raisman on Gawker
"Lets be honest, if that relay were Phelps' last race in Beijing, Lochte would've been doggie paddling the last 25."- Dedicated Reader
Kyla Ross' floor...just no.
"My sister just asked me if Ross picked bad music to distract her competitors."- Fabulous Jewess
Time for Gabby Douglas on floor.
Gabby's awful music is growing on me. Her late-twisting arabian technique is not.
"We stink. Good thing you're rooting for the Russians."- Mommy Dearest
"I think I made my turn."-Gabby Douglas
Martha was clearly DRILLING the girls on their turns.
"Gabby didn't quite work the weave tonight."-Uschi Keszler
"She was trying not to over do it and go out of bounds. Gabby just flew out of bounds. Child, she was asked to ditch that fifteen cent weave. Jordyn just looks like a volleyball player with her hair."-Margaret Thatcher
"We stink."-Mommy Dearest
Not an awful day for Jordyn. It is one she will second guess for a long time, but it was far from awful in terms of her performance. As far as meltdowns go, this is quite minor.
"She really wasn't bad, she just went out."- Mommy Dearest
"She looks like Courtney Kupets in Athens, but Courtney had a massive [achilles] injury."-Margaret Thatcher
Aly- "This is one amazing Jewess. This routine is actually entertaining unlike Jordyn's barf fest."-Margaret Thatcher
I actually didn't see the shot of Jordyn crying earlier, which is heartbreaking for her. We started screaming and jumping after Aly finished. This is still shocking to see. This is athletics. Raisman brought it and earned it. You cannot have an off day on Team USA and make it. The three-per-country rule is bullshit, but it is something these girls have never grown up with.
"The Jewish people have suffered enough to be associated with Aly's foot form."-Fabulous Jewess
Raisman cam!
Aly is the new star of Team USA! #TeamJewSA
One can never get complacent in an Olympic year. Aly fought and came on strong. Aly was pissed when she wasn't selected for Pac Rim and it clearly fueled her to new heights.
Classy interview from Jordyn in the situation.
Here is Bela to add his brand of bullshit. Where is his level of concern when the cameras and money aren't around?
"Don't you think the floor exercises were better in the '70s? The music seemed to be better and there was more dance to it. Nadia and Olga, they were cute and now it is just boom boom boom boom boom."-Mommy Dearest
Mommy Dearest is terrified of Mustafina's eyes. Fabulous fluff piece.
Al has clearly never been to the Bolshoi. Aliya is wonderful, but not a ballerina.
"OMG the Russian team looks like actual women's gymnastics unlike Team USA."-Margaret Thatcher
Komova needs to sharpen up floor as the week goes on. No new combo out of the triple full. Out of bounds on the last pass. She messed up the dance a bit. Her ankle is clearly never going to be 100%. This is not a strong event for her.
"I don't live for that Komova FX at all."-WestPalmBitch
Elfi approves of her hair. Komova will learn from that 13.900 on floor or Aliya will kick her with her good knee.
Anastasia Grishina- Her eyebrows are such the statement. I don't know who I'd put up in team finals on this squad. They need to get their shit together and give a little more of a shit in podium training.
NBC better show the Afanasyeva gay dream OR ELSE.
The two-per-country rule is only going to give us a shitty AA final if any of the top girls make a mistake.
Show. Us. Afanasyeva. David Michaels has failed us for the millionth time.
The Michelle Kwan and Greg Louganis commercials are the highlights of London thus far. Michelle has NEVER looked better!
NBC skips bars to show us shaky Russian beam. It's like they don't get the sport. They also chacked a beautiful Beth Tweddle moment on bars.
Elfi can't distinguish between Asians and is now crediting He Kexin with inventing the Li Ya combination.
Vika---I love that NBC skips her most impressive moments on bars and vault. Look at the quality of the work when she hits. It is like Nastia...with power. Those Kolesnikova genes are freakish. Two backhandsprings to a double arabian. Sick.
Aly is very supportive of the other girls..genuinely so. The girl may be fugly, but she does appear genuinely nice.
"She weighs like five pounds."- Mommy Dearest on Gabby Douglas
Gabby's hand guard opens up and she nailed it. 15.900 on vault...very impressive.
Watching this meet back, I do feel for Jordyn Wieber and can't help be feel her coaches are to blame for the routine construction. I said it at the American Cup. I am not a coach. If I know they are never going to be credited, the man whose profession is it should've had the foresight. Jordyn's beam routinne would be perfect for Ludmilla Yezhova or anyone with finesse. You don't give a powerful brick house a routine designed for a bendy finesse artist.
Solid Amanar from Wieber. It is not as dynamic or explosive as it was at the World Championships, but it is very good. Very good.
McMayla My Darling Maroney- HUGE vault and a huge step forward. Let's pray she saves her Day 2 trials performance for finals. Martha is watching her golden vaulter like a hawk. Best Mustafina I've ever seen. McKayla is made of total win. Give some of it Sasha Cohen.
Tim is underestimating Russia on bars. If Grishina shows up in finals, things will get very interesting.
Rebecca Tunney is much better than the token waif Team GB took to Beijing. This routine is quite cautious, but successful. I miss the requisite flow and beauty of balance beam. This is something we sorely missed all day in the beam routines. There needs to be a rhythm deduction in the next code that is seriously enforced.
Token Bela fluff. I live for the way he can turn on his persona for the cameras.
Bela is fascinated by the brilliant Jewess Aly Raisman with the well structured mind. She reminds him of the great Phoebe Mills. He would've paid six figures to steal him from her coaches. One of the best bar routines Aly has ever done. Is it a good bar routine? It is not as bad as it was two years ago. I live for Aly's mothers and the curious father. OMG this is an Olympic moment. The reactions of the people around them are priceless.
Rita Wieber Lohan...such a fashionista.
"Did Mihai Brestyan study bars under Simona Amanar?'-Margaret Thatcher
14.166 for Raisman.
NBC needs a Martha cam for ratings.
Jordyn Wieber has struggled with this routine for two years, yet John Geddert has not changed it. The same errors and deductions are the ones she made at the 2011 American Cup.
"These US female gymnasts do not play, and they are hot. They're like the Olympic Spice Girls.'-Bethenny Frankel
Did Aly's mom drop the f-bomb earlier? Do we love her more for it?
Kyla Ross is not quite exquisite, as her feet and toes are not locked out to Mostepanova standards. Just ask Nastia, those toes made up for those giant swings. Kyla is steady and reliable...like a Ford Taurus.
This camera angle is far for forgiving to the American girls on bars. If Gabby stays with Chow any longer, she will get a legit dead hang. That is when you know you've made it as an Asian. Aly is so supportive of everyone! The rest could give a shit.
"I'm already living for Oprah's Next Chapter when she visits Gabby and Mom."- A Dedicated Reader
Oprah's right hand, Sheri Salata, is already tweeting about Gabby. It is done!!!!
Facebook is telling me Chellsie Memmel got engaged today. Kudos to Chellsie.
"OMG Oprah just called Gabby her secret daughter on twitter."-West Palm Bitch
"Wait, so Gabby was actually transported from Oprah's Africa school?'-Uschi Keszler
Kyla Ross- girl grows by the day. That was a Nelli Kim leap connection. Steady. I'd put her up on beam in team finals over Jordyn.
Gabby, like Shawn Johnson, knows her to turn on the smiley persona. I love that she just admitted that her old coaches weren't cutting it. Oprah is eating up this single mom fluff piece right now. Gabby is definitely likable.
"Gabby needs her teeth fixed to smile that much on national TV in HD.'-A Fabulous Jewess
"Nice teeth!"-Mommy Dearest
Gabby- small check on her series. Stuck back full. She is going to make everyone white knuckle team finals. Clutch the weave! This is the event Gabby originally stood out on as a baby elite. Switch ring...the back leg was not cute. How are her coaches the rejects from the Chinese National Training Center? Did they miss the Yang Bo leap class? Maybe she learned it at the old gym, where we know they weren't cutting it.
Jo Jo- Solid series. This Yezhova routine was never going to work. The fact that Geddert is shocked that Jordyn didn't get questionable skills and connections is rich, as she has been lacking in the basics for quite some time and they've only deteriorated as she has gotten closer to the Olympic Games. The leaps are clearly not working. Martha needs to send Shannon, her old scruchies, her lifestyle and her OCD around the country to work on the leaps, extension and finishing touches of the American beam routines. Not PC Shannon, real bitch Shannon who was crazy enough to win Olympic Gold at 72 years old with a worn out body. Jordyn did not bomb today...this is about a coaching error and focusing on big skills too early as opposed to developing basics first and skills later. This is why Geddert is more of a JO coach.
"I'm trying to decide if I'm dumber for actually beginning to understand the traffic light system."-A Dedicated Reader
It is interesting that John told Jo she was in trouble re: making AA finals. The switch side has been getting sketchier and scarier all year long (last year too.)
If only Alicia had Aly's toughness and work ethic. Maybe we could've actually seen if the Chinese babies could've held up to the pressure in the final rotation. I need Lynn Raisman cam. The best part about the Patterson dismount is that NO ONE remembers the 2004 Olympic Champion.
What is the American tradition on floor? The Courtney Kupets crab walk?!
"I just hope Aly Raisman retires after this because she might look like Golda Meier without the cigarettes. Her mother must starve herself to stay that thin. No matzo for Mrs. Raisman."-Margaret Thatcher
Mrs. Raisman on Gawker
"Lets be honest, if that relay were Phelps' last race in Beijing, Lochte would've been doggie paddling the last 25."- Dedicated Reader
Kyla Ross' floor...just no.
"My sister just asked me if Ross picked bad music to distract her competitors."- Fabulous Jewess
Time for Gabby Douglas on floor.
Gabby's awful music is growing on me. Her late-twisting arabian technique is not.
"We stink. Good thing you're rooting for the Russians."- Mommy Dearest
"I think I made my turn."-Gabby Douglas
Martha was clearly DRILLING the girls on their turns.
"Gabby didn't quite work the weave tonight."-Uschi Keszler
"She was trying not to over do it and go out of bounds. Gabby just flew out of bounds. Child, she was asked to ditch that fifteen cent weave. Jordyn just looks like a volleyball player with her hair."-Margaret Thatcher
"We stink."-Mommy Dearest
Not an awful day for Jordyn. It is one she will second guess for a long time, but it was far from awful in terms of her performance. As far as meltdowns go, this is quite minor.
"She really wasn't bad, she just went out."- Mommy Dearest
"She looks like Courtney Kupets in Athens, but Courtney had a massive [achilles] injury."-Margaret Thatcher
Aly- "This is one amazing Jewess. This routine is actually entertaining unlike Jordyn's barf fest."-Margaret Thatcher
I actually didn't see the shot of Jordyn crying earlier, which is heartbreaking for her. We started screaming and jumping after Aly finished. This is still shocking to see. This is athletics. Raisman brought it and earned it. You cannot have an off day on Team USA and make it. The three-per-country rule is bullshit, but it is something these girls have never grown up with.
"The Jewish people have suffered enough to be associated with Aly's foot form."-Fabulous Jewess
Raisman cam!
Aly is the new star of Team USA! #TeamJewSA
One can never get complacent in an Olympic year. Aly fought and came on strong. Aly was pissed when she wasn't selected for Pac Rim and it clearly fueled her to new heights.
Classy interview from Jordyn in the situation.
Here is Bela to add his brand of bullshit. Where is his level of concern when the cameras and money aren't around?
"Don't you think the floor exercises were better in the '70s? The music seemed to be better and there was more dance to it. Nadia and Olga, they were cute and now it is just boom boom boom boom boom."-Mommy Dearest
Mommy Dearest is terrified of Mustafina's eyes. Fabulous fluff piece.
Al has clearly never been to the Bolshoi. Aliya is wonderful, but not a ballerina.
"OMG the Russian team looks like actual women's gymnastics unlike Team USA."-Margaret Thatcher
Komova needs to sharpen up floor as the week goes on. No new combo out of the triple full. Out of bounds on the last pass. She messed up the dance a bit. Her ankle is clearly never going to be 100%. This is not a strong event for her.
"I don't live for that Komova FX at all."-WestPalmBitch
Elfi approves of her hair. Komova will learn from that 13.900 on floor or Aliya will kick her with her good knee.
Anastasia Grishina- Her eyebrows are such the statement. I don't know who I'd put up in team finals on this squad. They need to get their shit together and give a little more of a shit in podium training.
NBC better show the Afanasyeva gay dream OR ELSE.
The two-per-country rule is only going to give us a shitty AA final if any of the top girls make a mistake.
Show. Us. Afanasyeva. David Michaels has failed us for the millionth time.
The Michelle Kwan and Greg Louganis commercials are the highlights of London thus far. Michelle has NEVER looked better!
NBC skips bars to show us shaky Russian beam. It's like they don't get the sport. They also chacked a beautiful Beth Tweddle moment on bars.
Elfi can't distinguish between Asians and is now crediting He Kexin with inventing the Li Ya combination.
Vika---I love that NBC skips her most impressive moments on bars and vault. Look at the quality of the work when she hits. It is like Nastia...with power. Those Kolesnikova genes are freakish. Two backhandsprings to a double arabian. Sick.
This is the AJ I like. Intelligent observation and analysis. Thank you!
ReplyDelete"These US female gymnasts do not play, and they are hot. They're like the Olympic Spice Girls.'-Bethenny Frankel"
ReplyDeleteTHIS!!!
Despite all the drama today... This team have star quality
Amurika don't want an edumacashion!
ReplyDeleteIt's so true. They didn't even use the term "amanar" until the U.S. girls were on bars. Way to go. Don't get me started on the color-coding... it doesn't even take into account the starting value. Every time they refer to it (the color-coding), they say something totally assinine.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I prefer Shannon's ultra-PC, but much more technical commentary to this biased, confusingly "color-coded" commentary.
ReplyDeleteAgreed.
DeleteCompletely with you!
DeleteShannon is genius compared to these retards. I hope I don't have to stay up past midnight to see the Russians... I just wanna see Afan's gaytastic floor routine. Is that too much to ask for?
ReplyDeleteLawd! That Gabs is a sheltered child and it shows. She is a good kid.
DeleteGabby fake sickeningly sweet attitude makes me sick to my stomach. She may be a great gymnast, but there is something I just don't like about her. She is just so fake.
ReplyDeleteThe people who are qualified to say that someone is acting fake are the people who know what that person is like when she's being real.
DeleteUnless a person has spent time with Gabby when the cameras are off of her, that person isn't really qualified to say she's acting fake.
Maroney should be the face of the US team, she's a HOTTIE!
ReplyDeleteWow really? I hope you realize that you are speaking about a teenager/child. I can take the tongue and cheek stuff, but people are taking it a bit to far.
ReplyDeleteAren't we a sensitive prude?
DeleteTell your Mom I said hi, lmao!
is your mom a hottie? Im gonna ask anonymoous if they have a pic of her!
DeleteMckayla is the team water/tuff skin carrier for the team. She needs to work on her inner diva and acting like that shit is beneath her.
ReplyDeleteI love it when the announcers totally get over dramatic, but then they are wrong. She's awesome, then the gymnasts falls. America's great tradition on floor as 3 of the girls go out of bounds. Floor has been streaky for the american for a couple of years now.
ReplyDeleteMuch better AJ!!! Snarky but not cruel!
ReplyDeleteNow that I saw it, no wonder the bitch faces. Solid on 3 events scared rabbits on floor. Can't wait to see Aly!
ReplyDeleteLov Aly's hairdo and makeup.
ReplyDeleteword
DeleteAgree. looked great at Trials too
DeleteYou know Marta torn them a new one in the locker room. Wow, awkward moment there as all four girls saw Jordyn's score flashed. Aly stayed in bounds, but she under rotated 3 of those passes.
ReplyDeletekupets had an achilles not an cal.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to need Douglas not to pull a Dawes, overcompensate, then sit down her tumbling pass in the upcoming competitions.
ReplyDeleteShe should just get rid of the leap at the end of the pass. That floor sucks. No one can work it right.
DeleteSeriously thought Jo's floor routine was good enough to get into the all-around finals
ReplyDeleteYep
DeleteI really wish top 3 from a country could be in the all-around. Especially when one of them is the world champion. Poor Jordyn
ReplyDeleteNobody would be saying that if it was Jordyn on top.
Delete...right. because then the world champion would actually be in the competition. The fact that she's not highlights the problem. Again.
Deletethe argument that jordyn's the current world champion needs to be teased out a bit more--if not challenged. the people making these types of comments most likely don't understand the precarious nature of the sport. the reason we all love the Olympics is because we have the best of the best competing within an established framework--and anything can happen. we live for the surprises. we cheer along with the victorious teams AND cry with the losing teams.
Deletein the qualifying round, the competition was tight within the American team, and, for someone like jordyn, whose teammates had equal-to-harder difficulty levels on each event, she had to be near perfect, and she almost was, which is why i feel for her very much.
should the rule be changed? maybe. maybe not. for now, though, i think we are more in need of heidi klum as commentator, reiterating the point that, in gymnastics, one day you're in, and the next day you're out.
well said , bravo.
DeleteBut, Jo's Bars and Beam are questionable for AA
ReplyDeleteThat is 2 out of 4
Aly scores well on 3 out of 4
Gabby 3 out of 4 also
In reality for Jo to win AA other people need to phuck up! That is not a way to win bad strategy
omg is this real-life?
ReplyDeleteJust want to hug Jordyn, but so proud of Aly & Gabby. Go USA!
ReplyDeleteClassy interview from Jo. Hope she can pull herself together to help in team final. She's tough, she'll bounce back.
ReplyDeleteWorld Champion means more. What a loss for the U.S team. Love Jo even more! Queen of Hearts!
DeleteThe best thing that happened to Gabby, nailed 3 events. Error on floor, but not one she cant make. Give up on the 2 country rule, these girls have been competing with these rules. They knew it. Interesting if it was Aly or Gabby if it would be the same. Bottom line, Jordyn didnt nail any thing but vault. Aly is the star, and getting her rightful praise. Best thing for Aly is the Jordyn controversy and nailed 4 events.
ReplyDeleteYES!
DeleteJordyn didn't nail vault either. She was out of bounds.
Delete"Classy interview from Jordyn in the situation."
ReplyDeleteYes! All good kids... Go USA
Hate Musty's routine! Hate Da Muzak!
OK...AWKWARD, dragging Aly and Gabby through a "how great for me" interview gauntlet right in front of their fellow team member who didn't make the cut. The camera operator sure framed that up. That's just tacky on the same level as having cameras in the face of Hollie Vise when Marta announced the 2004 Olympic Team. I don't know who thought that set-up was a great idea, but it can't be so great for overall team morale.
ReplyDeleteWatching bob costas interview sir bela. After 20+ years in this country his accent is still thick and u can't understand him.
ReplyDeleteWhy do Bela's suits all look like they are leftover from the 1970's? Why?
ReplyDeleteReally wish all 3 Americans could go to the all around. I know it's the rule. And they have all grown up with the rule, but the are 3 great gymnasts! They each deserve a chance to shine.
ReplyDeleteOMG, they aren't even going to show us Beth Tweddle? We get the US girls milling around the floor but not the best routine of the night? And Al, the arena is buzzing because Beth did something amazing, not because Jordyn is crying.
ReplyDeleteI wish the rules would change so that the top five in any category, regardless of nation would get a spot and then from then on do the two per country rule. At least you'd get a better sampling of the best. And with only four gymnasts competing, no one country could have all five spots.
Oh, and someone needs to tape Mustafina's legs together to teach her how to twist. That final pass was UGLY in the air.
DeleteI too was quite upset not to see Beth's bar routine. One of the best, if not the best, and they don't even show it. Don't care if it is just qualifier. Totally annoyed by NBC, and don't even get me started on the commentary.
DeleteI can say this that the routine was spectacular. Canada showed girls from many many countries including the girls who had no team. I hate that NBC acts like there is nobody else in the arena. The Japanese were really good on beam.
DeleteGrishina and Wieber should be in all around finals. The two per country rule does not create parity, it washes away the competitiveness that is supposed to exist at the Olympics. These girls are the best but can't compete because their country has depth. They are punished because they come from a gymnastics superpower
ReplyDeleteEvery gymnast who qualifies, no matter how many from their country are ahead of them, should compete
Agreed!
DeleteI would be ok even with a small modification like if you are 3rd in your country, but finish in the top eight or top 10. More so than the all around, I think the individual events suffer more. Russia, China, and the US have individuals who made the event finals. Can't believe this mess of a beam routine tied with Gabby's.
DeleteIf you were around in the 70's and 80's you would understand why this rule is in place. It really really SUCKS to always watch one team dominate all the spots. I understand what the fuss is about, but, I have also been very disappointed as a kid when the USA could not break the barrier. It allows the weaker countries to have a playing field and that is good, for the gymnasts who are always not on top.
DeleteThey showed Beth's routine on NBC earlier in the day (either right before or at the beginning of when Romania was competing live).
DeleteThey also had Ferrari's floor routine then.
I really hope they show the 2 Chinese routines that placed 1 and 3 for event finals.
ReplyDeleteAll this whining and wailing for Jo... If Gabby had come in 3rd for the US but 4th overall no one would have cared. She would have retained her headcase/choker status.
ReplyDeleteWell it already happened at Worlds....
DeleteI actually think there would be MORE outrage because Gabby is supposed to be the next 'golden child'. None of the girls choked today, some performed better than others. But great gymnasts from all of the top four are barred from competing just because of the country they represent.
DeleteUnheard of to defend an Olympic title in women's gymnastics? You just showed Khorkina ten minutes ago!
ReplyDelete...Funny how I've never heard any of us (Americans) complain about the per-country rule regarding the 1992 Olympics--to give the Soviets (who had tons of depth) their "time to shine." This whole conversation about the rule is obviously spurred (understandably, I grant you) more by emotion and patriotism than by logic and objectivity.
ReplyDeleteI don't disagree with your general point. However, Alexandrov effectively didn't give us a chance to make that argument, by subbing Gutsu in for Galieva ("it was decision of head coach - I couldn't do anything about it!").
DeleteTotally agree comrad
DeleteThank you, voice of reason!
DeleteDifferent times though. It's time for them to change it because it is unfair to the athletes. What is the point of gymnasts from other countries creating better programs if they are handed AA and EF spots?
DeleteIt figures the Americans are whining again....underscored, 2 person limit rule. BLAH BLAH BLAH.
DeleteAre people intentionally being obtuse? There is anger because the WORLD CHAMPION did not make it in. Look at Kohei--he struggled and may have missed the finals if he fell again! That would be an absolute tragedy.
DeleteAs great as he is, if Kohei had fallen *three* times, the blame would lie squarely on him for not qualifying. The same would've been true for then-reigning world champion Kim Zmeskal back in 1992, who fell off the balance beam, but then had the highest optional score. Jordyn did not perform like a world champion *today*, when it counted. So the fact that she is a world champion, at least by itself, doesn't make this a tragedy.
DeleteAnd I'm not necessarily agreeing with the rule, but people are overlooking why this rule exists in the first place, and whether that rationale still stands in today's era. See: http://www.gymn-forum.net/Results/Olympics/1972_Munich/1972_women_aa.html. Without the rule, would we still see something like this, and if so, is that a sufficient justification for the rule? That's the real question.
@Anon 10:51PM
DeleteYour point was exactly what I was trying to make with my original comment. It's not that I completely agree with the rule myself, and I think a conversation about it IS necessary, but this conversation is not going to be productive if people are only discussing it as a causal reaction to seeing Jordyn Wieber's heartbreak.
Unfortunately, it doesn't help that the American media uses terms like "victim" (as in, "Jordyn was a victim of the two-gymnasts-per-country rule", which I heard on the morning news today), so people's minds are already made up for them by how television journalists are approaching the topic.
Rather than victimizing Jordyn, let's talk about WHY what happened happened in the context of the current rules. Ally has a huge dismount on beam that ups her start value. Ally has a huge first pass on floor that ups her start value. Ally did the best vault anyone has ever seen her do in competition. Ally, arguable, was over-scored on bars. These points are a mix of facts and argument that would help the public understand how the current gymnastics system works and why Jordyn, even though she's the world champion, didn't make it.
Worst coverage ever
ReplyDeleteKomova has a pretty look, but a lack of musicality to rival Kyla Ross. Ick. Music choice almost as bad for her as Ross to boot.
ReplyDeleteTop 24 should make the all around no matter what country they are from. I want to see the best 24 gymnasts no matter what country they are from
ReplyDeleteNow Mary Carillo is droning on about the crown jewels. I wanna see her crown jewels... bet their bigger than Horton's
ReplyDeleteOh c'mon, y'all know either Aly or Gabby will mysteriously get "injured" between team finals and AA finals and USA gymnastics will put in Jordyn. It's how USA gymnastics rolls.
ReplyDeleteThat's how Russia roles too! Remember Khorkina giving up her place on Vault finals. They do what is best for mother Russia and don't complain about it!
DeleteThat isn't happening. Can you imagine the uproar if Marta/USAG tried to do that? It's not going to happen. I also can't see either Aly or Gabby or their coaches allowing that to happen. Aly & Gabby are going to compete because they earned it.
DeleteSeeing Mustafina whisper to Komova that Jordyn Wieber didn't make the AA was priceless! I missed seeing this during the live feed, but I loved their smiles as they waited for Komova's score on beam! Both of them were thrilled! The AA competition for them just got easier! lol.
ReplyDeleteNothing like rooting for a teenage girl's lifelong dream to be crushed!!
DeleteYeah well they are teenagers themselves with the same dream. Get real. You would be happy too. I'm sad for Jordyn but I'm sure Aly is happy that it's her going for AA than Jordyn. Don't be so naive about it. It's a COMPETITION.
DeleteThey have dreams too! A nice shiny medal in the AA. Unfortunately, Wieber was someone who stood in the way of that!
DeleteWe don't know for sure that's what Mustafina told her. She could've said something else but it might not have been as interesting as saying it was about Wieber.
DeleteIt's a COMPETITION that is missing some of the best competitors
DeleteThan perhaps Jordyn Wieber should have competed better than Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas. She knows the two per country rule. She shouldn't have left room for them to sneak by her.
DeleteGrishina also missed out on competing in the AA. I don't think that's right. Why take out medal contenders and replace them with girls who qualified 6 points down?
Deletelove that the ponorography is on late night
ReplyDeletei can't stand the hate that is given to Gabby at other sites. Thanks ya'll for being civil. Ali and Gabby deserved what they got.
ReplyDeleteThose other sites are racist pigs. Just the fact that Gabby made AA even with mistakes proves she's better than Jordyn.
Deleteexactly
DeletePeople don't like Gabby because she's annoying, not because she's black
Deleteyou're a LIAR!!!!!!!!!!
Deletehttp://niggermania.net/forum/showthread.php?36957-America-s-New-Gymnastics-Darling
http://chimpmania.com/forum/showthread.php?11336-Sow-Gabby-Douglas-Selected-For-U-S-Women-s-Gymnastics-Team
Don't lump everyone who doesn't like Gabby together with a bunch of racist wackjobs.
DeleteAs long as you don't say people don't not like her because she's black. Deal? Deal!
DeleteIt's going to be fun if Aly becomes Olympic AA Champion
ReplyDeleteOMG, the Russian fans would be apoplectic, and I would love every second of it. I think an Aly win would complete my life.
DeleteIt would be a real shame to the sport. She is not even an AAer, she doesn't have a real bar routine.
Deleteif she's on the AA podium FIG gets what it deserves.
DeleteOkay, can we put Maroney on floor now!
ReplyDelete- Token Heterosexual
Aly and Gabby worked hard, performed better and deserve to be in the AA. I'm glad Aly made it. I've liked her attitude better then Jordan's this entire year. She and Gabby have improved this whole year and lets face it, better to peak at the Olympics then to peak at Worlds and Nationals. If Gabby and Aly go 1,2 for AA no one will even remember Jordyn four years from now. I feel bad for her because clearly she expected it to be handed to her for a mediocre performance like has been done in the past. Jordyn should get herself together and try to help win team gold for USA so she can at least walk away with one gold medal. She has absolutely nothing if the US doesn't get team gold. She won't get nary a sponsor without that. Go Gabby and Aly!!!
ReplyDeleteGabby was way worse than Jordan, she went way OOB
DeleteFor floor, and thats why she received a lower score than jordyn on that apparatus. but gabby did better than her on the other events.
DeleteBut Jordyn was underscored on beam and floor. Gabby only made a big mistake on one apparatus, but that floor OOB was HUGE. Bunch of .3 steps, plus both feet out of bounds = big deductions. If the judges had scored Jordyn fairly on beam and floor, she would've beat Gabby.
DeleteCome on, you guys are so used to your hype and over sized scores in the USA, that when reality hits, you all start whining. You know how stupid that all looks? I watched all the hype, all the expectations , all the glitz and tickertape. OMG people. TAKE it for what it is. How can anyone sit there and say she was underscored when we are not there. We are not judges...we see from a TV screen. If you peeps were able to see the rest of the girls complete, it was a pretty hard day for everyone. So many surpising mistakes from the Russians, Romanians, Australians etc. IT was a hard day. Stop whining it is so annoying.
DeleteJordyn was not underscored - she scored basically the same or higher than she's always scored internationally for the same skills. As AJ said, her routines remained the same while her competition improved. Her usual scores couldn't cut it anymore.
DeletePerhaps I phrased that wrong - compared to Gabby, Jordyn was underscored. Compared to how they scored other gymnasts, both on the US team and from the other countries, Jordyn was underscored. Gabby had some very questionable connections on beam that should've been deducted, but they weren't.
DeleteI agree with those comments above that voice the reasons why the 2 per country rule exists. And the 'outrage' exists because one of the hyped American gymnasts guaranteed to contend for gold did not qualify. This rule is never really contested unless there is depth in one team. I'm not detracting from the talent of the US team however was it not always assumed that Wieber and Douglas would compete for the AA. That's why there is more controversy - because what was assumed did not transpire.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Thank you.
DeleteExactly!
DeleteIf the media didn't create this massive hype of pre-determined all American winners, it wouldn't be so shattering for the athletes when they don't advance.
I feel bad for Jordyn, but I am ecstatic for Aly and Gabby who worked hard and upgraded in the last year. Jordyn did not upgrade. I don't understand why she worked upgrades such as a double layout on floor, but then chose not to ever compete them. When your D score is lower than two of your teammates, one as to be perfect. Unfortunately for Jo, she was not perfect yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI love how Karolyi - he of the political backroom dealings that cost many a deserving gymnast a spot on the Olympic team - has the nerve to whine about "unfairness":
ReplyDeletehttp://www.usatoday.com/sports/olympics/london/gymnastics/story/2012-07-29/usa-women-gymnastic-jordyn-wieber-gabby-douglas/56573824/1
NEWSFLASH to Bela - Gymnastics is a sport. S-it happens. Wieber didn't perform up to par, and the results reflect that. Get over it.
The fact that NBC continues to use Bela as one of their only interview sources during controversial Olympic moments (think: 2008 Chinese age scandal) calls into question the network's journalistic integrity. Real sports journalists should be calling bullshit on him--and on the network. I'm disappointed that bloggers are doing the work that journalists in this country are supposed to be doing.
DeleteAnon @ 7:18 a.m., you hit the nail on the head. Wouldn't take much digging, either. But, of course, NBC has deployed all of its resources to producing feel-good fluff pieces that detract from the actual games.
DeleteNot just backroom dealings, but public tantrums when his gymnasts get the scores they deserve for flawed routines
Delete"I feel bad for Jordyn, but I am ecstatic for Aly and Gabby who worked hard and upgraded in the last year. Jordyn did not upgrade. I don't understand why she worked upgrades such as a double layout on floor, but then chose not to ever compete them. When your D score is lower than two of your teammates, one as to be perfect. Unfortunately for Jo, she was not perfect yesterday.
ReplyDeleteWRONG! She upgraded her beam, floor and bars dismount. She did not receive credit for either beam or floor yesterday and was severely underscored. Gabby was the one who was not perfect, her floor was a disaster.
Well, Gabby must have done something right because she's competing AA and Jordyn isn't. She and Aly both surpassed Jordyn by much more than Jordyn won the Worlds last year over Komova.
DeleteBeam "upgrades" don't count when the judges will not give you credit for them in competition. She should have selected real upgrades.
Deletebars dismount is not an upgrade. she was doing the full twisting double layout a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteFrom this point on, every time Jordyn Wieber competes we will see a NBC fluff showing her crying in London. (With violins in the background)
ReplyDeletePoor Jordyn.
She deserves better.
The only scores I was devastated by were Ponor's. I thought she was grossly overscored on both beam and floor. Her tumbling form is ugly, she bailed on one of her tumbling passes and only ended up doing something like a tucked full, and she still scored I believe the same as Wieber.
ReplyDeleteThen she got to beam where she had a couple of bigger sized breaks: one after her flight sequence and one after her switch ring. And yet again she scored not only high enough to make beam finals, but she got a higher score than girls with comparable routines who went through cleaner received.
Again, I realize she had the benefit of going in the last subdivision, but I still feel like she got a little more than the benefit of the doubt.