8.209 points separated the United States from Russia, who finished second in the Women's Artistic Gymnastics Team Final. In 2012, the United States placed 5.066 points higher than Russia to win the team gold. At the time, 5.066 points was the greatest point differential in 52 years.

At the 2010 Olympics in Beijing, China won team gold with a margin of 2.375 points over the United States. As gymnasts begin to master more difficult skills, the margin between gold and silver has become wider every four years. This year, however, there were very few people who doubted that the gold medal would go to the United States...especially after they finished nearly 10 points ahead of China and showed the world that they were the team to beat. Even Aliya Mustafina, the captain of the Russian women's gymnastics team, 2010 world all-around champion and reigning Olympic uneven bars champion described the team as "unbeatable." And they were.

After the first rotation, the self-dubbed "Final Five" were .7 points ahead of the competition. That .7 point difference ended up being what separated Russia from China, the bronze medalists... and the United States had already separated themselves that much after they had all finished vaulting. To me, that's simply astounding. The fact they finished qualifications almost 10 points ahead of China was ridiculous enough. The fact that the difference between silver and bronze was the same as the difference created by the USA after the first rotation is just scary. And the thing is, compared to the teams they medaled with, the "Final Five" seemed like they were having so much fun.

Before the team competition began, things were a little more somber and serious. But as the competition went on, you could see how comfortable these girls were with each other. They would laugh together, congratulate each other with sincerity and pure joy after each hit routine, and genuinely looked like they were enjoying every second of the competition. This could definitely be shown during the team's final rotation, the floor exercise. The powerhouse team of Laurie Hernandez, Aly Raisman, and Simone Biles was simply fun to watch. Laurie Hernandez, nicknamed "the Human Emoji" due to her hilarious facial expressions, started off her routine by winking at the judges. Her routine was full of life, humor, and personality. Aly Raisman, the reigning Olympic floor champion, still looks just as strong as she did four years previously. And then there's Simone. Simone who flies so high above the floor that you almost wonder how many extra flips and twists she could add in before she lands. After each routine, nothing but smiles, hugs, and cheers from Gabby Douglas, Madison Kocian, and the coaches.

They knew they were ahead. They knew it would be near impossible for any team to make up a sizeable point differential and claim the gold. But they never faltered, never took each routine less seriously, and never took their eyes off the prize. 12 hit routines. 5 incredible gymnasts. The final five-person women's gymnastics team the United States will send to the Olympics. The final team that Marta Karolyi will coach. The "Final Five." It's a fitting name for a team that is so dominant that final also implies that no other team will be able to match them. The "Final Five" had the final word on Tuesday night, and reminded the world that the United States will not settle for second best when they are fully capable of proving they are the best.