Not many in the Press rogue’s gallery was picking Brazil to qualify.
Jade FERNANDES BARBOSA (BRA)
“We are very happy to be here and show how we are capable. It was an old team but we pulled through and made it.”
… I didn’t say it. 🙂
… Belgium, competing in subdivision two, could take great satisfaction from their overall result as they improved their score by eight points from Tokyo, where they had qualified in last position for this event. Indeed, for a brief moment, they were even dreaming of more.
In the final rotation of the day with Brazil performing on the Balance Beam, the two teams stood neck and neck and it all came down to the last routine.
After two falls by her teammate Jade Fernandes Barbosa, Daniele Hypolito began her routine knowing it was all or nothing for Brazil. The experienced gymnast, who competed in the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games, kept her nerve and scored 13.866, to put her team in fourth position and secure their Olympic spot in London. …
FIG – Italy, Canada, France and Brazil Women’s Teams qualify for Olympic Games
Even if you don’t speak Portuguese, it’s worth watching the TV coverage from Brazil on this accomplishment. Gymnastics is going to be even bigger in Brazil leading up to Olympics 2016. This helps the cause as the Brazilian guys did not qualify.
Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.
… So with every eye in the arena on her and the country’s Olympic hopes on her shoulders, Hypolito delivered, nailing her flight series (two back handsprings to a layout landed on two feet) and landing a good double pike dismount. She could not even make it down the steps of the podium before having to sit down and let the emotions out. Her teammates clustered around her, laughing and crying and hugging and celebrating like something great had just been accomplished …
Examiner – Impressions: Flight four at the London Test Event (women’s)
Blythe was one of the few who thought Brazil had a chance to qualify. She also predicted that Canada would get to London mainly because of Vault — and they did deliver 3 DTYs, more than any other nation.
Sport can be thrilling.
And it can be agonizing. The least happy gymnasts in London are the girls from Belgium and the guys from Canada.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 