At this very moment, there are less than 100 days until the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Athletes are training harder than ever as they find out whether or not they have achieved their life-long goal, but it won't be until July for the U.S. women gymnasts to find out their Olympic fate. As of late, the gymnastics world was shaken by the news of the Romanian team. For 40 years, the Romanian team had been a competitive threat towards the U.S. for 40 years and did not qualify for the 2016 Olympics. Well, this news just about broke social media quite quickly. For gymnastics teams, their qualifications for the Olympics begin at the World Championships and if they do not qualify there, they attend an Olympic test qualifications which is their final chance for the Olympics. Unfortunately, at Worlds as the U.S. qualified in 1st place, Romania took a measly 13th. Then when it came to the Olympic testing, the top four teams will qualify for the Olympics but Romania missed being selected by only one spot; they had placed 5th. This moment was the end of an era, the end of what would be the U.S.'s toughest competition ever. But when it comes to the Olympics, what's next for the U.S.? How have they created this winning dynasty of champions?
About a week ago, USA Gymnastics debuted a special on Youtube called "Made in America" where fans everywhere could learn about the rise of Women's gymnastics. From 2000 until recent, U.S. gymnastics has been on the rise when it comes to winning team competitions. Ever since Marta Karolyi had taken the reigns of National Coordinator, things changed for the U.S. but only for the better.
The Women's team cliched World Championship titles year after year as the Olympic teams of 2004 and 2008 had solid placements of the team silver medal. It wasn't until the 2012 Olympics in London where the "Fierce Five" won the team gold medal with Gabby Douglas taking the All-Around gold medal, adding her win with the All-Around legends Carly Patterson (2004) and Nastia Liukin (2008). These wins have been achievable by the changes made by Marta Karolyi. For the selection camps that the National team attend, every day stands as a mini-competition for them to verify for each event; therefore, before Team U.S.A. gets to the actual competition, their mind set is already in place by the process that goes on at camps. These are athletes that are thirsty for the top of the podium, and they won't stop for anyone.
According to the "Made in America" special, The U.S. has won, between Worlds and Olympics, 82 medals which is 42 more medals than the second place country. Not to mention, Team USA hasn't lost a team competition in 6 years...6 years! At this moment, not only are they back-to-back World Champs but they currently hold a three time World Champion, Simone Biles, and they are current Olympic Champs as well. Will they hold onto these titles? The chances are extremely high! Watch Team USA in any competition and you see nothing but discipline, determination, and flawless technique.
As of current, our Olympic hopefuls are Simone Biles, Gabby Douglas, Aly Raisman, Maggie Nichols, MyKayla Skinner, Laurie Hernandez, Ashton Locklear, and Brenna Dowell. Who will take the five spots not he Olympic team? it is anyone's guess but if there is one thing I know, Olympic Trials will be a fight to the finish. These gymnasts bring their A-game while they withhold secret weapons that could take out any opponent. One can say that with Romania being out for the 2016 Olympics and for the rise Team USA has been on, the 2016 Rio Olympics has the potential of being a quite civilized blood-bath for that gold medal.
