Discussion: Which 2008 U.S. Olympian has the best shot at making 2012?
Discussion: Which 2008 U.S. Olympian has the best shot at making 2012?
Discussion: Which 2008 U.S. Olympian has the best shot at making 2012?
Last week we introduced you to a new addition to gymnastics coverage, the Gymnastics McLaughlin Group hosted by Blythe Lawrence of the Gymnastics Examiner. Here's the second edition!
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Blythe points out that U.S. gymnastics fans are seeing something unprecedented halfway through this quadrennium: every single member of the last women's Olympic team is training seriously, and five of the six have openly expressed intentions to remain competitive in elite gymnastics. Here's a quick rundown:
Shawn Johnson: returned to the gym last year after a long break and a torn ACL. She's shown big improvements and even new skills in a short amount of time and has returned to the National Team training camps, which means she's taking the comeback seriously.
Bridget Sloan: The youngest member of the 2008 team, she never really stopped training and went on to win the 2009 World All Around title. She's been struggling with injuries lately and was just barely named to the 2010 World team.
Samantha Peszek: In her freshman year at UCLA and not competing due to injury. She's expressed interest in training elite on top of NCAA and if she's going to do that anywhere, UCLA seems to be the best place for it.
Nastia Liukin: The reigning Olympic Champion keeps hinting at the fact that she's training but has yet to make any concrete commitments.
Chellsie Memmel: Denied retirement rumors when we saw her in May, but had remained pretty quiet until competing at Circle of Stars about a week ago. She told us she's back in gymnastics because she loves it, is sticking to her own training plan in hopes of staying healthy, and would like to be ready for 2011 USA Championships.
- Our interview with Chellsie and competition videos
Alicia Sacramone: Impressive comeback in 2010, including her first World Vault title which it turns out she won on a broken foot. She seems the frontrunner for making the team, which is why Blythe left her out of the question.
- Our recent video interview with Alicia on her foot injury and training plans for 2011
Now for the big question featured in this week's Gymnastics McLaughlin Group:
Alicia Sacramone notwithstanding, which 2008 U.S. Olympian has the best shot at making the 2012 women's Olympic team?
My answer:
"Chellsie Memmel. She'll sneak her way back into shape and be ready to go when no one expects it."
These answers were submitted over two weeks ago and in that time Chellsie showed her commitment to come back. I also have a small amount of faith in Shawn Johnson. She's the one who seems the most enthusiastic about training at the moment and with her past success and high difficulty so I think she has a shot.
What did others say? Click here to find out.
Who do YOU think has the best chance? Aside from the 2008 Olympic team is there one US gymnast who you would bet on making the team for London? Join the discussion below, and read more on Examiner.com
Blythe points out that U.S. gymnastics fans are seeing something unprecedented halfway through this quadrennium: every single member of the last women's Olympic team is training seriously, and five of the six have openly expressed intentions to remain competitive in elite gymnastics. Here's a quick rundown:
Shawn Johnson: returned to the gym last year after a long break and a torn ACL. She's shown big improvements and even new skills in a short amount of time and has returned to the National Team training camps, which means she's taking the comeback seriously.
Bridget Sloan: The youngest member of the 2008 team, she never really stopped training and went on to win the 2009 World All Around title. She's been struggling with injuries lately and was just barely named to the 2010 World team.
Samantha Peszek: In her freshman year at UCLA and not competing due to injury. She's expressed interest in training elite on top of NCAA and if she's going to do that anywhere, UCLA seems to be the best place for it.
Nastia Liukin: The reigning Olympic Champion keeps hinting at the fact that she's training but has yet to make any concrete commitments.
Chellsie Memmel: Denied retirement rumors when we saw her in May, but had remained pretty quiet until competing at Circle of Stars about a week ago. She told us she's back in gymnastics because she loves it, is sticking to her own training plan in hopes of staying healthy, and would like to be ready for 2011 USA Championships.
- Our interview with Chellsie and competition videos
Alicia Sacramone: Impressive comeback in 2010, including her first World Vault title which it turns out she won on a broken foot. She seems the frontrunner for making the team, which is why Blythe left her out of the question.
- Our recent video interview with Alicia on her foot injury and training plans for 2011
Now for the big question featured in this week's Gymnastics McLaughlin Group:
Alicia Sacramone notwithstanding, which 2008 U.S. Olympian has the best shot at making the 2012 women's Olympic team?
My answer:
"Chellsie Memmel. She'll sneak her way back into shape and be ready to go when no one expects it."
These answers were submitted over two weeks ago and in that time Chellsie showed her commitment to come back. I also have a small amount of faith in Shawn Johnson. She's the one who seems the most enthusiastic about training at the moment and with her past success and high difficulty so I think she has a shot.
What did others say? Click here to find out.
Who do YOU think has the best chance? Aside from the 2008 Olympic team is there one US gymnast who you would bet on making the team for London? Join the discussion below, and read more on Examiner.com