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sports Dialuna 26 Juli 2021

Russians top Biles, Americans in gymnastics qualifying

(AP) — The trouble journey is over. The 46-year- or two here or there wasn’t a solid set on uneven bars, an individual after earning a
started early. A step out old from Uzbekistan did not going to matter based on but a spectacular beam rou- nominative berth through
of bounds on floor exer- qualify during the vault final the history of blowout wins tine ended with her tempo- the World Cup circuit, Carey
cise here. A short landing at her record eighth Olym- by the Americans at world rarily reeling following her earned a spot in the vault and
there. pics. championships since he took dismount, something Forster floor exercise finals and only
over in 2018. said he’s never seen her do. missed out on the all-around
Over the course of two hours Athletes, judges and admin- due to the rules that limit fi-
on Sunday, the mistakes — istrators rose to their feet to “We thought it was a good or- Biles, who came to Japan as nals to two athletes per coun-
some almost imperceptible, salute Chusovitina as she der, and I still feel good about the face of the U.S. Olympic try.
some laid bare for the world made her way off the floor. it,” Forster said, who later movement and possibly the
to see — kept piling up, chip- She waved to the crowd with added, “it will all work out.” Games themselves, saluted Carey’s decision to pursue an
ping away at the aura USA tears in her eyes before pos- the judges then walked off individual berth is symbolic
Gymnastics has built over ing for pictures with whoever It always has since Biles the podium with a smile that of the depth the Americans
the past decade. Not even wanted one. joined an already dominant looked like a combination of have enjoyed during their
the greatest of all time was program in 2013. Everything relief, sarcasm and frustra- rise to supremacy. Yet they
immune to the realities of a “I’m saying goodbye to will be reset for the finals, tion. no longer appear to have the
sport where perfection is un- sports,” Chusovitina said. when the format changes to market cornered on excel-
attainable. “It’s kind of mixed feelings. three-up/three-count. The There was plenty to go lence.
I’m alive, I’m happy, I’m here pressure will be greater. And around.
For 11 years, the Americans without any injuries, and I the Americans have found a ROC’s performance’s of-
flirted with it, at least from a can stand on my own.” way to thrive under it. Jordan Chiles’ relentlessly fered proof that the former
competitive standpoint, fly- Inside a largely empty Ariake consistent run that carried gymnastics superpower is
ing all over the globe, then Something the Americans Gymnastics Center, they fi- her to a spot on the team in the midst of a resurgence
flying back home with their have done in the team com- nally faltered. At least by their ended with a major mistake led by 21-year-old Angelina
suitcases stuffed with gold. petition for 10 years. After towering standards. on bars and a fall on beam. Melnikova. Even better, the
going largely unchallenged Grace McCallum stepped Russians survived the balance
It still might happen at the over two Olympic quads, Not even Biles was immune. out of bounds on floor. Lee beam relatively unscathed.
Tokyo Olympics. But for the they suddenly have company. had two of her scores (vault
first time in a long time, it ap- While the 24-year-old star and floor) dropped in the The 4-inch piece of wood set
pears it won’t happen with- Forster raised eyebrows fol- topped the all-around with a team competition, though 4 feet off the ground has been
out a fight. lowing the Olympic Trials total of 57.731 and advanced her electric bar set helped her the place where the country’s
last month when he said tak- to the finals in all four events, surge into third behind Biles gold-medal hopes have gone
Russia pulled off a stunner ing the top four finishers in it didn’t come easy. She back- and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade. to die in recent years, yet
in qualifying, posting a top the all-around in rank over a pedaled all the way off the there were no major issues
score of 171.629, more than squad that could potentially mat following a tumbling The biggest bright spot for during qualifying. The only
a full point ahead of the U.S. score a bit higher by taking pass on her floor exercise, the Americans may have been serious miscue came when
total 170.562. While reigning a specialist didn’t matter. He then basically did the same the spectacular performance Lilia Akhaimova fell off dur-
Olympic champion Simone reasoned sacrificing a tenth on vault. She responded with by Jade Carey. Competing as ing the end of an acrobatic
Biles topped the all-around series. No biggie. The Rus-
with teammate Sunisa Lee sians were allowed to drop
close behind in third, the her score.
Americans ended their ses-
sion looking up at another Things will be different in
name on the scoreboard in the finals, when the margin
the team standings for the for error disappears. While
first time since the 2010 Melnikova stressed she didn’t
world championships. want to forecast what might
with a medal on the line, she
“This was not the finals,” believes what has long been a
U.S. high-performance di- walkover for the Americans
rector Tom Forster said. will turn into something far
“This was getting into the fi- more compelling.
nals. So this might be a great
awakening for us and we’ll “We hope that (we win),”
take advantage of it.” Melnikova said. “We’re also
going to struggle and fight.
China, France, Belgium, We have to. That’s the expec-
Great Britain, Italy and host tation for us.”
Japan also advanced to Tues-
day night’s final. Olympic And suddenly, it looks do-
legend Oksana Chusovitina’s able.