Rio Rankings

[bogwoppit]

It's not a personality competition but in gymnastics as in other sports who I I cheer for and hope succeeds depends both on skill ( Michael Phelps) and personality ( Reagan Smith) or ideally both ( Simone Biles, Jordan Speith, Missy Franklin). The major stars get the most attention and we get to know them better. Some athletes have turned me off with their personality so much that I cheer for anyone else against them. That's why I love sports because the convergence of skill, competition equal a compelling drama.

Totally agree, but I just do not see the PTB not sending Gabby with her scores because she does not smile. She scores well internationally even when she looks like her dog died.

 

[Jordan Miller]

Here is my current prediction for Team USA based on Marta's press conference after Pac Rim's. She was most excited about Simone hitting her second vault, which means she does care about winning event medals. She said there is room for an event specialist, specifically mentioning Madi and Ashton, which I think means only on UB is there room for an event specialist. She said it is not likely someone who has not competed yet this year will make the team. She said the primary criteria for putting together the team will be getting the highest 3 score on each event, the highest team total. Based on those criteria:

Biles, Douglas, Hernandez, Locklear, Raisman
traveling alt: Nichols

This is the team lineup that leads to the highest 3 routine score on each event based on competitions this year. Nichols and Raisman are close to interchangeable, but put Raisman ahead of Nichols right now because of the injury and because Nichols has not thrown her Amanar this year. Kocian could take Locklears UB spot if she is healthy and beats her at Classic's/Trials.

vault
raisman
douglas
biles

UB
biles
douglas
locklear

beam
raisman
hernandez
biles

fx
hernandez
raisman
biles

I can see this team working for sure. It will be very interesting to see if Kocian is at full potential come Classics moving forward. I like Kocian over Locklear simply because she can compete on more events if needed. For example: Vault, Beam and Floor in Qualification. Locklear could really just be used on bars.

 

[txgymfan]

Totally agree, but I just do not see the PTB not sending Gabby with her scores because she does not smile. She scores well internationally even when she looks like her dog died.

Yup! She is just not my favorite.

 

[gymdog]

Point 1. In a non-objective answer, Gabby seems so arrogant and full of herself and Ragan seems to still have that "oh my God, I can't believe I'm competing with my idols" innocence about her , and that is more appealing to me, than arrogance...

sadly I think this is actually the opposite really and because she's not extroverted or she hasn't lived up to some people's expectations they think this. i think she was misled by some in the media after the first Olympics and also she is just not extroverted at all so I guess people think she's being purposely rude or something.

 

[Seeker]

For me it is about the 5th AA gymnast being able to fill in any spot if needed. I think the US's top AA gymnasts are all world beaters.

I think the 5th & 6th best AA's will be alternates. Does anyone know the current code rules for when an alternate can replace an athlete? Like -- before the competition starts, between prelims & finals, etc.?

Yes saw on social media- pretty impressive she beat Douglas....I think she is now a lock for the Rio- not sure about Smith though.....

Pretty sure Douglas didn't compete AA at camp since she wasn't in contention for Pac Rims at all and had already competed twice. She probably didn't verify full routines or all 4 events.

I can see this team working for sure. It will be very interesting to see if Kocian is at full potential come Classics moving forward. I like Kocian over Locklear simply because she can compete on more events if needed. For example: Vault, Beam and Floor in Qualification. Locklear could really just be used on bars.

.

Welcome to the board! I think that if that scenario happened (requiring someone to step in on another event), they'd either use the 4th AA athlete or call up the most appropriate alternate. I much prefer Locklear to Kocian. I like Ashton's routine better and her execution is far superior (can't stand the flexed feet look).

 

[ZJsMom]

After Pacific Rim, my pick for the Rio team is Biles, Douglas, Hernandez, Raisman and Locklear. I know the danger of a specialist, but I still think four strong AA gymnasts cover the bases.

I'd rather see Nichols than Raisman, but Nichols knee surgery and raisman's improved Amanar make that unlikely.

 

[Seeker]

After Pacific Rim, my pick for the Rio team is Biles, Douglas, Hernandez, Raisman and Locklear. I know the danger of a specialist, but I still think four strong AA gymnasts cover the bases.

I'd rather see Nichols than Raisman, but Nichols knee surgery and raisman's improved Amanar make that unlikely.

Agree -- thaw my team unless something dramatic changes in the next 3 competitions (Classics, Nationals & Trials).

 

[Mrs. Puma]

It's not a personality competition but in gymnastics as in other sports who I I cheer for and hope succeeds depends both on skill ( Michael Phelps) and personality ( Reagan Smith) or ideally both ( Simone Biles, Jordan Speith, Missy Franklin). The major stars get the most attention and we get to know them better. Some athletes have turned me off with their personality so much that I cheer for anyone else against them. That's why I love sports because the convergence of skill, competition equal a compelling drama.

I have to admit that I absolutely LOVED watching Svetlana Khorkina even though she was the ultimate drama queen...

 

[Gymmommy71]

Speaking about our personal opinions and who we'd like to see on the team "just because". I actually want as many older girls on our team as possible - thus I hope both Gabby and Aly make the team even though I'm not a huge fan of either of their gymnastics styles (not enough artistry for my tastes). I also like how they both came back from significant time off to return to world class top contenders.

It would disprove all of these mentalities that all elite gymnasts are washed up at 17 and that everyone must train 24X7 their entire lives in a mad rush to peak at 16 while hoping their body doesn't give out from overuse at the wrong time. Maybe a female gymnast can still be the best in the world at 21? Even if she took off 2 years to, gasp!, relax. To me Gabby and Aly making our team w/ how deep our talent pool is would prove its possible and I would like this.

 

[Mom2twingymnasts]

How very bizarre, so somehow this corporate money is magical and has now effect. Wow.

Thanks for the explanation, but that is nuts.

I believe if you have a corporate sponsor (e.g. Hilton Honors team) you are considered a professional athlete. Therefore you would not be eligible to compete in NCAAs. Therefore only guys who are choosing to not go to college or those who have graduated from college are on the Hilton Honors team.

Since female gymnasts are so young they likely strive to keep their NCAA eligibility until they are nearly certain they will be going to the Olympics. My guess is that US female gymnasts that have gone pro likely can get more lucrative corporate contracts than what our guys are getting from Hilton.

 

[CCGymbug]

Was never an Ali fan till yesterday at the secret classic. After falling on bar routine and scoring 13ish. She got up, finished strong and nailed the other 3 routines! Both Ali and Gabby responded with a smile and wave upon our gils calling thier names. Gaby almost seemed embarrassed by the attention.