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Artistic Gymnastics at the Rio Olympics.


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All Rio-Related Artistic Gymnastics stuff goes here.
Well, the US seem to be a lock for the Gold in the Team All-Around whilst Simone Biles is a heavy favourite for the Individual All-Around. I'd expect the 2nd US All-Around Spot to be up for grabs between Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez & Gabby Douglas. Silver seems to be reserved for China while the Brits & Russians may battle for the Bronze. It'd be wierd without Romania considering this is the first Olympics they fail to qualify a full Team at in years. I hope Catalina Ponor (Romania's 1 Gymnast that's being sent to Rio) pulls through for a Medal, She's very strong on Beam & Floor Exercise (Silver Medalist from London) and I think she'll be competing in the All-Around (That's if she gets her mess of a Bar Routine fixed). Biles is also favourite to win Medals on the Vault, Beam & Floor events whilst Madison Kocian (The Bars Speciallist of the US Team and reigning World Champion) is expected to Medal in the Uneven Bars Finals. The Bars Finals are stacked, I hope Becky Downie qualifies because it'd be awesome to see her finally win an Olympic Medal in best event. Also, Watch out for the Germans & Brazillians in the Team Event because they have pretty strong Teams that are potential Medal Contenders. The Brits have potential in not only medalling in the Team Event, but also qualifying for pretty much all the Apparatus Finals - Ellie Downie (VT, FX), Claudia Fragapane (VT, FX), Becky Downie (UB, BB) & Ruby Harrold (UB) this, is probably our strongest Squad yet.

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I believe they are. Here's the Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Team - Vera Biryukova, Anastasia Bliznyuk, Anastasia Maksimova, Anastasiia Tatareva & Maria Tolkacheva. I'm keeping this Thread for Artistic Gymn because I don't watch much of Rhythmic at all but if anyone wants to cover the Rhythmic Events then go ahead.

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9 minutes ago, baron-pierreIV said:

Thanks.  But Rhythmics are governed by the same IF, so there's really no point in opening ANOTHER thread just for a sub-discipline of the same sport.  

True. I suppose we can let info on Rhythmic on here. Saves confusion too.

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^^ True. Anyway, I was watching the US Olympic Trials and I still can't get over the decision to take Gabby Douglas over Ashton Locklear (Who is an Alternate to the Team). If Martha wanted 2 Uneven Bars Speciallists then Asthon and Madison Kocian (Who is on the Team) should have went, Locklear would have been able to perform Bars in Rio and Kocian could have done both Bars and Beam. Well, Martha knows what she's doing I guess and I doubt she would want to show up to Rio without the reigning Olympic All-Around Champion. I kinda find it funny how MyKayla Skinner's Fans think she's the #1 Ranked Alternate even though Martha didn't rank the Alternates at all. The only Gymnast I can see Skinner filling in for is Biles, and Biles getting injured or being pulled out is highly unlikely. Locklear can fill in for Douglas, Hernandez (Perhaps Smith can fill in for her too) & Kocian.

This is what the US Women's Squad looks like - Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Gabby Douglas & Madison Kocian. Alternates - Ashton Locklear, MyKayla Skinner & Ragan Smith.

This was my prefered Olympic Team - Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, Laurie Hernandez, Ashton Locklear & Madison Kocian. Alternates - Gabby Douglas, Maggie Nichols & Ragan Smith.

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Probably because Ashton Locklear doesn't have anything else to offer other than a good uneven bars routine. At least Madison competed in all 4 events at the trials, while Ashton only did the uneven bars and the balance beam. She got piss poor scores on the balance beam, while Madison did much better.

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Yes. I get that her best event is Bars, But she has the capability of scoring big. She has consistently been scoring high up in the 15's leading up to the Trials (She put up a staggering 15.850 at the Secret Classic). Kocian has only outscored her on the 2nd Night of Trials (With a huge 15.950). If Locklear was on the Team, Then it would be for Bars only. That would allow her to focus soley on her Bar Routine and focus on nailing it in Rio. I still think Ashton should have went over Gabby. Also, she can't compete all 4 Events due to a Stress Fracture from 2013, She had to stop doing Floor & Vault. I hope Ashton continues after Rio, If she can fix up that Beam Routine, Then I can see her acting as a UB/BB Specialist for US Teams in the future.

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So she's been injured before? Well there you go that's probably the main reason why she didn't make the team. She's damaged goods. The US team doesn't need that. They need performers who can step up to at least one more event just in case something happens. Sure Aly, Simone and Laurie can carry the team on vault, floor and balance beam, but I think the point of having Gabby there on the team event is that she's fully capable of competing on all those events mentioned, as well as the uneven bars and she can be put there in place just in case they don't want to tire either of those 3 I previously mentioned. They have the best shot at making the all around, NOT Gabby if she performs inconsistently. But Gabby is an asset for the team because she can put high scores in all 4 events provided she has no mistakes. Ashton cannot do that, nor can Madison, but Madison is definitely needed for the uneven bar routine and in case Gabby has problems with the balance beam once again, Madison can step in and take her place in that event in case Simone, Aly or Laurie can't put good numbers up there either.

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She was injured in 2013. Almost every gymnast goes through injuries. I understand where your coming as to why Gabby is on the Team but I still feel like Ashton should have went instead. I hope the alternate experience helps her continue into the next quad and push for the Olympics.

What's interesting is - If Douglas, Hernandez or Kocian get hurt, Then Locklear could easily fill in for them on Bars because she is the better Bars Worker out of her, Skinner & Smith. The only time I think Skinner can be used is if Simone gets hurt, The US will need a strong Vaulter and Floor Ex. so Skinner would be the Go-To. Smith could fill in for Hernandez along with Raisman.

I feel bad for Maggie Nichols. She was really at it before she busted up her knee. Was sad when her name wasn't called for the Team nor Alternate Positions. I would rather Maggie as an Alternate over Skinner

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So I have a technical question.

In team qualifying, I believe a country can only put up 4 athletes on a given apparatus, with the low score being thrown out.

But team qualifying ALSO serves as qualifying for the all-around and event finals.

So.

Presumably the U.S. will want Kocian to do team qualifying on bars (since she is one of the gaggle of world champions on the apparatus and likely to qualify for the event final).

BUT!

The U.S. has FOUR legitimate all-around contenders (Biles, Raisman, Douglas, Hernandez). However only THREE of those four will be able to do team qualifying on bars alongside Kocian.

So.

Which one of these three gymnasts will not have an opportunity to try to qualify for the all-around?

I realize only 2 per country may qualify, but I'd like to see an honest battle between these gymnasts and it seems like that is flat out impossible because of the qualifying procedure.

Thoughts?

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Interesting. First of all, It's worth mentioning that Biles is a lock for an All-Around spot, She's 3 time and defending World Champion so I'm 100% sure that Marta would put her up for Bars so that she can go through. Kocian will definitely be doing Bars in Qualifications so that she can make it to the Event Finals. That leaves us with Douglas, Hernandez & Raisman. Personally, I think they'll have Raisman sit out which'll leave Douglas & Hernandez fighting for that 2nd AA Spot.

Also, What are your predictions for the All-Around Podium in Rio?

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Yes. Obviously Biles will do bars.

My personal preference would be to see Raisman and Hernandez duke it out for the second all-around spot rather than Douglas, but she will likely have the second best bar score. I have to believe she'll do bars in the team final. I suppose it really depends on how she is training. Hernandez is EVERYWHERE in the media. They seem to be eating her up with a spoon. Would be a real shame for Raisman to miss out on a chance at the all-around considering her consistency and work ethic. Will be interesting to see what Marta decides.

I don't have an all-around podium prediction. Anything can happen. Remember Jordyn Wieber.

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As much as I'd love to see Raisman do Bars and make it, I don't see it happening. Especially after Marta hinted her desire for Gabby to compete AA but the again, Marta may take the decision to let Aly do Bars and have Hernandez sit out.

Sports Illustrated predict the AA Podium like this - 

Gold - Simone Biles. Silver - Angelina Melnikova. Bronze - Laurie Hernandez.

But like you said, Anything can happen (Jordyn Weiber 2012).

I would absolutely LOVE to see Mustafina, Saraiva, Ponor or Downie on the AA Podium, May sound crazy, But boy would that be amazing.

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I can see Marta approaching it one of two ways:

A.) Take the 4 best performers on bars and let the cards fall where they may. (Raisman probably out.)

B.) Take Kocian, plus the three strongest all-arounders based on their most recent training. (No idea who loses out here because the judgment would be made behind closed doors.)

Wish we could ask her how she decided!

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Same. I see Kocian going through either way. The main reason behind her selection was her Bars of course. It's crazy to think that Ponor is going to do All-Around in Rio. She has Floor, Beam & Vault down, I'm just worried about her Bars. Romania are usually weak when it comes to Bars (Which is a shame because that was one of their strongest events back when Nadia was around). I see her qualifying for Floor & Beam Finals, Whether she medals is a different story, Especially with how stacked the talent is this quad.

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The more I think about it, I expect Marta to go with the 4 best bar routines, which probably means Raisman is out. 

Catalina Ponor is lovely. I saw her in person in Athens. She's had a phenomenal career and amazing longevity. I hope this is a good ending for her. 

I'm expecting all the Russians to compete, but there might be a surprise there too. 

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Sometimes the depth of the US Team is so incredible that it's hard to make a decision. I adore Cata, Hands down one of my all time favourites, I love how she'd come back a year or 2 before the Olympics for a comeback, Goes to show how much passion and love she has for the sport.

The Russians are a mess right now. Komova is out with an injury and Afanasyeva has retired after being pulled out due to kidney issues. Melnikova apparently has a hamstring injury and Paseka is hurt also. Tutkhalyan is on the Team now (I LOVE her, But I wish she'd be consistent) and Mustafina looks like she's barely surviving. I wonder who the Russians will replace Paseka with if she's too hurt to compete. I still have hopes for a Bars Medal in Spiridonova or Mustafina.

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6 hours ago, MissEurasia said:

As much as I'd love to see Raisman do Bars and make it, I don't see it happening. Especially after Marta hinted her desire for Gabby to compete AA but the again, Marta may take the decision to let Aly do Bars and have Hernandez sit out.

Sports Illustrated predict the AA Podium like this - 

Gold - Simone Biles. Silver - Angelina Melnikova. Bronze - Laurie Hernandez.

 

LMAO Sports Illustrated must not be following scores because at the European Championships in Bern Angelina Melnikova had piss poor scores that she only qualified for 1 event final, and she ended up placing 5th with a score of 14.166 in balance beam. And this was less than 2 months ago. Aliya Mustafina, on the other hand, qualified and medaled in 2 of them, winning gold in the balance beam and placed 3rd on the uneven bars, and had scores above 15.0 for both events. So let's not count that stuck up looking twat out.

I think it's really stupid for Marta to even consider giving Gabby a run for the all around just for the sole purpose of defending her title, which let's be real WILL NOT happen unless somehow Simone Biles breaks her legs from now until the the end of the team event. Compared to 4 years ago, Gabby was in terrible form at the Olympic trials and if she does not improve she SHOULD NOT be given a chance for the all-around. It's gonna come down to her balance beam performance because for the most part the rest of her event performances are solid.

But going by the Olympic trials, it could come down to Laurie and Aly fighting for the 2nd all-around spot, and I think Laurie has the advantage of being young and fresh, much like Gabby Douglas was in 2012.

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6 hours ago, MissEurasia said:

The Russians are a mess right now. Komova is out with an injury and Afanasyeva has retired after being pulled out due to kidney issues. Melnikova apparently has a hamstring injury and Paseka is hurt also. Tutkhalyan is on the Team now (I LOVE her, But I wish she'd be consistent) and Mustafina looks like she's barely surviving. I wonder who the Russians will replace Paseka with if she's too hurt to compete. I still have hopes for a Bars Medal in Spiridonova or Mustafina.

Komova isn't just out with a back injury, her career in the sport is almost over depending on what the doctors tell her. Either way, at 21 and a somewhat sloppy performer she really doesn't have much left going for her.

Curious how the Russian team manages to be completely injured yet the US team seem rather healthy. The bitter bitch Komova likes to blame it on the US women using steroids, but I think it's more like malnutrition going on with Russian athletes. That and excessive pushing from their coaches.

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Yes but you need to take into account that pretty much no one was 100% at Euros. GB wasn't at their best, Netherlands did not send their A Team, Ponor wasn't 100% & Russia had Mustafina who was returning from a long layoff & an inconsistent Tutkhalyan. I'm sure they'll try and improve but if Melnikova's hamstring is really bothering her, Then I see the Silver/Bronze Podium open.

I believe Komova hasn't retired, Well, She herself didn't say anything about her retiring but she was going into Rio as a favourite for a Bars Medal. It's a shame we won't get to see her, or her bitterness, I hope she sticks around for a while.

I think Gabby's AA days are over. Hernandez is very popular now and people are expecting big things from her. She's young and fresh and so far has handled the pressure very well. I hope she gets the 2nd Spot, It'd be awesome to see Laurie win her first Individual Olympic Medal in the All-Around in her 1st Year as a Senior. I would think she has a shot at a Medal in the Beam Finals, I'd say Floor too but that'd take a lot of work.

I just hope the Brits leave with Medals. Considering Russia is going Beijing 2008 with how their Team looks right now, I think GB has a good chance in capturing the Bronze, Not saying Russia won't be competition, But I think the possibility of GB medalling the Team Event has increased a bit. I'd love to see the Double Downies & Frags all win Individual Medals, This Quad has been great for the GB Women, I hope they can end it in spectacular fashion.

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