The U.S. women drew the second of four subdivisions and will begin on floor exercise. “There are better starting positions,” said U.S. national team coordinator Marta Karolyi, when IG informed her of the draw. “But pretty much, if you prepare, you have to handle any kind of start. So that’s the approach that I really like to take. Certainly, we will start training based on this information.”
Karolyi said she prefers starting on vault, and that balance beam is the hardest event because of its inherent pressure. “We started in Stuttgart (at the 2007 World Championships) on beam, and we made the special preparation and it really worked,” she said.
While most teams favor the final sessions, the U.S. can take comfort that its main challengers, China and Romania, drew the short straws this time. In Subdivision I, Romania will begin on vault, China the balance beam. Asked if she was glad the U.S. didn’t get China’s draw, Karolyi laughed and said, “I don’t know, because it worked for us in Stuttgart.” …
Dwight Normile – International Gymnast – Olympic draw not ideal for U.S., but not bad, either
I feel the draw is much less important for women than it is for men — because the men’s competition is much more fiercely competitive. By that I mean the ability level of men from top to bottom is more equal. There will be a HUGE range of competitors in the women’s competition from lowest A-score to highest.
Lu Shanzhen, coach of the Chinese gymnastics women’s team, …
“It is the worst draw!” Lu expressed his disappointment after the draw. “We are in the first qualification and will start with balance beam.” …
Gymnastics Coaching.com 