Kyla Ross, Sarah Finnegan

Andy Thornton on USA not sending any WAG to the Olympic Test Event:

… The Russian women’s delegation has summoned two “Anastasias” to this competition for these very reasons. First-year senior Olympic hopefuls Anastasia Grishina and Anastasia Sidorova are both expected to challenge for spots on this summer’s Russian Olympic team, but both will do so without any world championship experience because they just became eligible for senior competition on January 1st. The solution? Throw them into January’s Olympic Test Event in the very city in which the Olympic Games will be held, on a podium, alongside numerous Olympic-caliber gymnasts fighting for Olympic berths, and in front of international judges – and see how they handle it. Worse case scenario: they flounder a bit but gain tremendous experience. Best case scenario: they win medals at the competition and boost their reputations and confidence prior to the Olympic season. …

… I was quite surprised to see Marta not take advantage of this huge opportunity for gymnasts like Kyla Ross and Sarah Finnegan. Ross in particular is fully capable of representing the USA in London this summer and will no doubt be right in the Olympic mix. There’s no question, though, that her lack of experience and the risk that comes with throwing a first year senior into the Olympic Games will become a part of the discussion. …

Marta normally wants assurance that new National Team members will “score well” with international judges.

I couldn’t agree more. It was a big mistake for USA to opt out of the meet this time around.

Andy linked to this routine. Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Read Andy’s full post – American Gymnast – Who Marta Should Have Sent To The Olympic Test Event…