USA, RUS, ROU

Congratulations to team USA and everyone involved in their National Team program. Especially the alternates and other members of National Team.

You prepared the best. And it’s nice to see all that work rewarded.

Fab 5 – OLYMPIC CHAMPIONS

Respect to Russia. I’d never have believed that Moustafina would have made it this far back. The goal was GOLD. They took a shot despite many, many problems.

Respect to Romania, as well. They are right back contending to win it all.

The happiest girls at the O2 might just be the CANUCKS in 5th. Nobody projected a finish this high … not since Peng was injured at Nationals Championships 2012.

why China has more GOLD

Stephen Colbert:

… Naturally the US trails in gold because every time we win one, we hand it over on the podium to pay off our national debt.

bribe for the judges?

Could there be a worse visual to show the general public on TV?

Business Insider – Jarring Images Show Japanese Gymnast Handing $100 Bills To Judges To Appeal A Score

Since the appeal was successful, Japan moving from 4th to 2nd as a Team, as a result, the cash was refunded.

Koji Yamamuro injured

UPDATE: Koji will withdraw from the AA competition. He chipped a bone in his foot.

Thanks Ws van Wijk for the link.

In the Team competition. On Vault.

… after an awkward and painful landing. He limped off the mat and was given a piggy back and taken out of the arena by coach Hiroyuki Tomita.

“Koji got injured halfway through, but as a team we never gave up fighting until the end,” said Kazuhito Tanaka, who filled in for Yamamuro on the pommel horse.

“I could not fill in properly for Koji on the pommel horse and I am disappointed with the mistakes I have made on both days here.” …

Japan Times – Japan takes silver medal again as China wins men’s gymnastics team gold

photo – Chicago Tribune

Has anyone heard an update on his status?

Scrap 2 Gymnasts Per Final

If you are one of the majority who dislike the FIG rule, you may want to know about this new petition:

James Greaves:

many of the people in the gymnastics world are gutted and angry about this rule. 2011 World Champion Jordyn Wieber was taken out of the all-around final at the London 2012 Olympics because her team mates had placed higher. She & others deserve more. Sign & help trend #Scrap2GymnastRule

SIGN HERE

I won’t be signing. I can live with the rule, not wanting to see 3 gymnasts from the same nation on the podium.

Kristian Thomas – Yurchenko double pike

China and Japan were supposed to win Team medals. The BIG winners yesterday were the hosts, Great Britain.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube. 16.550

Congratulations to everyone in the GBR programme.

Jordyn Wieber – My Journey

Here’s an ad for AT&T. Jordyn before Olympic Team prelims.

Click PLAY or watch it on AT&T Team USA.

Though she did not qualify for the AA final, I expect Jordyn to be even tougher in the rest of her routines in London.

Marta does not seem to agree. Jordyn is not competing Beam today … even though she’s more consistent than Gabby.

This is not a sponsored post by AT&T’s My Journey series. I declined compensation, but wanted to post the video in any case.

Go Jordyn!

Uchimura’s Pommel dismount?

Kohei Uchimura expressed a measure of sympathy for Great Britain and Ukraine after a judging inquiry into his pommel horse routine gave Japan the silver medal in the men’s Olympic gymnastics team final.

France 24

But should he have been given credit for a “dismount”?

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

@DanKeatings:

To be honest the dismount should have been counted in the first place it’s just a right downer being in 2nd then 3rd

That should be good enough for me.

The MTC reviewed it 10 times on video. And gave him credit.

Full Twist posted the official FIG media communication presented to the Press Tribunes following the successful Japanese appeal, if you want to see it.

Seems justice was done. The process worked.

Leave a comment if you disagree.

… It did look gawd awful to see the Japanese coach pushing cash at judges. That truly is a legacy of the bad old days. Days so long ago that a few dollars was a disincentive.