Olympics Gymastics 2012: Women's Team USA In Gold Position After Astonishing Vault Performance
Team USA women's gymnastics have spectacularly moved into first place after starting on the vault.
Jordyn Wieber, who is the defending world all-round champion, was first up for the Americans. Wieber showed strength of character and determination by putting on an extremely confident performance, following her disappointment in recent days of missing out on the all-round final. Wieber lost out on a place in the final of the all-round after finishing third behind two of her own American teammates. As only two from any team can progress into the final, it was Wieber who was left disappointed.
However, any suggestion that the recent knock would put her off her game were well laid to rest as Wieber gave an inspiring performance, offering a huge smile as she completed her routine.
Judges scored her performance a 15.933, giving her team the strong start they wanted. However, things were about to get even better for Team USA as Gabrielle Douglas followed her teammate with an even better performance, scoring 15.966.
The upward trend continued when 16-year-old McKayla Maroney smashed both previous scores by performing the extremely difficult Amanar. She is carrying a broken toe but her near-perfect performance earned 16.233, leaving Team USA in a strong first position after the first of four rotations. The Americans had a total of 48.132 points.
Defending Olympic champions China began their defense on the uneven bars, giving an impressive performance scoring 46.399; 1.733 behind the United States. However, the vault is traditionally the highest scoring of the apparatus, and China will still be in with a shout to retain their crown. But Team USA with a big lead, will be looking to give three more strong team performances to hold off any charge by the Chinese.
Russia, who are the other realistic contenders scored 46.366 on the vault, well behind the Americans.
