US Olympic Gymnastics Squad Ready to Take-off!

The US Olympic Gymnastics Selection Committee announced the six-woman team that will represent the United States in next month's Summer Games in Beijing. 

There was little surprise (thank goodness!) when Marta Karolyi added Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, and Bridget Sloan to the American roster. 

Last month's US Olympic Trials winner, Shawn Johnson, and runner-up, Nastia Luikin, received automatic berths to the American team following their 1-2 finish. 

The seasoned American squad are the medal favorites to bring home the Team Gold. 

Thank you, Marta...

Gymnast(s) DOWN! ... Inside the Karolyi Ranch (aka 2008 US Olympic Selection Camp)

For two of the American gymnasts picked to participate at the this week's 2008 Olympic Trials "Selection" Camp, the next two days may very well quantify the last four years. 

Karolyi Camp insiders have made public the news that two Olympic hopefuls, vying for a coveted spot on the US' six-athlete roster, have gone down with injuries. 

For Shayla Worley, an uneven bars specialist who was a leading candidate to make this year's squad, her season (and Beijing hopes) have all but dashed and turned to (chalk) dust. 

For Chellsie Memmel, her back injury is day-to-day. This latest injury, however, differs from the shoulder shoulder injury that has sidelined her for the past couple years). Memmel was essentially "a lock" upon arriving to the Texas ranch, but now an inkling of doubt has surfaced as to whether or not her body can heal in time for Team USA's July 31st departure to Beijing. 

I really, really hope the selection committee realizes how much the American team needs a consistently brilliant, time-tested bar-worker like Memmel.  

Marta and Co. ought to remember that alternates exist for a reason. They travel with the team and prepare as though they could be called to replace an injured teammate at any time. So, please... Put Chellsie Memmel where she belongs: on the 2008 US Olympic Team... squarely, surely, definitively.  M and Co. can make a later decision whether or not to appoint an alternate to replace any injured gymnast. They should reserve their rights and decide later.

Whether or not Shayla Worley had a true chance of making the team will remain a curiosity. I feel horribly that Worley's combined accolades will likely omit Olympic acclaim. 

As a member of the US's 2003 World Champion Team, Memmel can certainly sympathize with Worley's (literal) pain. An untimely injury during the lead-up to the 2004 Athens Games relegated Memmel to the sidelines (as one of three Team Alternates). 

With Memmel's latest back injury, are we witnessing Athens all over again?

I certainly hope NOT! 

I, along with my fellow rabid elite gymnastics fans, beg this year's Selection Committee to stop history from repeating itself and let each gymnast's resume represent...

thank you.