2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games

U.S. Women's Rio 2016 Podium Training Recap

U.S. Women's Rio 2016 Podium Training Recap

Today was the U.S. women's podium training at the 2016 Rio Olympics--a training session that serves as a full run-through of the competition. It is the only

Aug 5, 2016 by Rebecca Johnson
U.S. Women's Rio 2016 Podium Training Recap
Today was the U.S. women's podium training at the 2016 Rio Olympics--a training session that serves as a full run-through of the competition. It is the only time the athletes have had the chance to train on the competitive equipment in the Rio Olympic Arena.

In typical fashion, the USA women nailed it. They were strong and steady throughout the afternoon, hitting 20/20 routines as a team, and showing off the hard work they've put in not only in the last week or so in Rio, but over the course of their entire lives leading up to these Games. Get a full play-by-play of the training session in our live updates here.

Most often for USA, podium training lineups are reflective of qualifications lineups. It's important to train in competition order so that when meet day comes, the gymnasts can run on autopilot. National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi and the coaching staff will determine the final lineups at the coaches meeting to be held tonight.

Team USA marched out in gorgeous, sparkly red leotards with smiles that lit up the arena. They were relaxed, but also in awe. Team Captain Aly Raisman said during training,
It doesn't feel like it's real... It feels like I'm dreaming.
Turns out the Olympics are just as special the second time around.

The ladies started on floor. Gabby Douglas led off the group with a strong routine and the rest followed suit. Laurie Hernandez wasn't as animated as usual--saving the signature spunk for Sunday--but she hit a solid set.



Of course, Simone Biles made everything look effortless in her normal Simone way. Instead of anchoring floor like one might expect, Biles was in the third spot, which is likely because she has two vaults and will therefore need to go first in vault warmup. Going third gives her a minute or two to breathe while Raisman anchors floor. Madison Kocian went fifth and hit a solid routine.

Projected qualifications floor lineup:
Douglas, Hernandez, Biles, Raisman


They headed to vault where the dominance continued. Raisman stuck cold her very first Amanar in the touch warmup and reacted with the most endearing, 'look what I did mom' smile I've ever seen. It was glorious.

Hernandez and Douglas both showed nice double twisting Yurchenkos, and then Raisman nailed another great Amanar.



Biles performed a beautiful Amanar and Cheng. Kocian closed in the fifth spot with a clean Yurchenko full.

Projected qualifications vault lineup:
Hernandez, Douglas, Raisman, Biles


Bars is where the big question potentially got answered. Who will compete all-around? If you're like 'huh?', get the lowdown in our recent article that broke down all-around qualification.

Raisman led off bars with a clean set, followed by Biles, and then Douglas showed a gorgeous routine.



World champ Kocian closed out in style, but missed one connection (In-bar stalder full to Komova II), which decreases her start value by a tenth (6.7 to 6.6). This combo has given her trouble in the past, but she connected it both days of Olympic Trials (and thousands of times in training, of course) so I'll bet she nails it on Sunday.

Hernandez was up in the fifth spot, which means she will likely not be competing all-around. This is a big loss, as she has been on fire lately and could fend for a podium spot if given the opportunity. However, Douglas was selected to the team primarily for bars, essentially assuring her all-around spot, and Raisman has shown she deserves an all-around opportunity as well. Too much talent for one team--nice problem to have.

Projected qualifications bars lineup:
Raisman, Biles, Douglas, Kocian


Moving to beam, it was another solid five for five routines. None of the ladies' routines were as lights-out-rock-solid as they can do them, but naturally, it takes a few turns to get used to the podium--where the beam is generally a little bouncier.

Biles showed her usual greatness:



Some of the girls did a second routine or a couple extra skills and then they called it a day.

Projected qualifications beam lineup
Douglas, Raisman, Hernandez, Biles


There weren't any crazy surprises, as we predicted Biles, Raisman, and Douglas would be in the all-around. The team looked as strong as ever and ready to rock qualifications on Sunday. They got in, got it done, and got out... USA women style.

The opening ceremony is tomorrow, marking the official start of Rio 2016. The excitement level is off the charts.


Related:
ARCHIVED UPDATES: Women's Podium Training - 2016 Olympic Games
Podium Picks: Rio 2016 Predictions
Rio 2016 Lineup Questions and the All-Around Qualification Conundrum
Social Media Round-Up: Women's Podium Training & More

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