She looks like...

After becoming a serious gymnastics fan, I thought it was time to learn my history. So, about three years ago I went back and watched all of the major United States competitions since the early nineties. It wasn't long until I picked out a few girls who were serious ringers for current elites. Maybe you won't see the resemblance, or maybe you will! Take a look at these four side by side comparisions:

Jordyn Wieber and Kristal Uzalec

This one is MAJOR for me, like they could be sisters.

Hollie Vise and Raegan Smith

This one wasn't as obvious when I put the pictures together but there is definitely something similar about their mouths and they are both tiny!

Aly Raisman and Rachel Tidd

Spoooooky....these two could be twins in these pictures.

Bailie Key and Nastia Liukin

Ok, so I don't think Bailie looks like current Nastia or even 2008 Nastia. I'm talking about vintage 2005/2006 Nastia. The braces certainly help but beyond that, they do look alike.

What do you think? Any other "look alikes" you have noticed??

All I Wanted Was a Fair Competition

And thank God, we got one.

So, ok, the bar finals thing is mega screwed up but ALY IS IN THE AA! The idea of this not happening has been stressing me out for so long and I feel like I can sit back and really enjoy Rio now. Granted, she hasn't won her silver medal yet but I have confidence that she'll stay her usual consistent self on Thursday.

As I mentioned before, I was on an island all weekend and I had a nice time. But every now and then, as I was laying on a raft or eating a steak or reading on a porch swing. I would remember the qualifications happening Sunday and literally shudder.

One, I was nervous about getting home in time to watch them (no livestream on the island so I was counting on good ole NBC broadcast). And two, what if Aly didn't make it?? Ugh, the suspense.

Happily, someone else had to get off the island at an earlier time on Sunday so I didn't have to be the one to make a fuss about getting home in time. And I would have made that fuss too. No shame, no game.

Anyhow, we rolled in around 6:30 and I had time to eat dinner and move the comfy chair right in front of the TV (I'm slightly visually impaired, don't judge). Can I just say that I hate how NBC won't just show the whole darn thing at once??? Why did I need to sit through two hours of swimming? And I like swimming, but not for two hours.

Enough about my sad life, back to gymnastics.

I pretty much thought Aly had it in the bag after floor and vault. No, I'm totally kidding, I knew nothing is counted on until the last event which happened to be the ominous balance beam. Gabby's floor, I have to say, looked terrible. The afterthought of a back tuck, the horrible choreo and the lack of passion...just bad. Sorry not sorry. But other than that, she competed ok but Aly did great on all but that blasted near-fatal balance check on beam. I felt like I was going to vomit while waiting for that score.

But it was enough! Go Aly! Redemption is here at last!

Two last things:

• People saying Gabby was being a better sport than Jordyn in 2012 freaking pisses me off. First of all, the two situations are so completely different that it's laughable to even compare them. Second of all, Jordyn was anything but a brat or a diva, while (ahem) I can't say that about the former. 
• FINALLY WE HAVE A LEOTARD THAT AMERICA CAN BE PROUD OF. It was a thing of beauty (totally reminded me of Kyla's from 2015 nationals by the way). It was so lovely that I'm worried they can't top it for team finals. I hope they don't show up in some another snoozefest of a red leotard tomorrow. 

See you all then!

Why not Jordyn?

Mckayla made her comeback in 2013, Gabby and Aly are due at the next camp and Kyla never really left. Jordyn supposedly was training for elite again about a year and a half ago but then it fizzled into nothing as she left for college. Now she assists with UCLA's gymnastics team where she is not allowed to compete due to going pro. This begs the question, why hasn't Jordyn Wieber, the FFer with the most to prove, trying to make a comeback for Rio?

Jordyn was at the top in 2011 and 2012, she won nearly everything she competed in and was world champ! Then, we all know what happened in London. I wish Jordyn had gotten a chance to do the all-around but be it her coaches or the judges fault, it wasn't to be. This was a MAJOR upset though and Jordyn was visibly devastated. I don't think there was person watching who didn't think she would try and find some redemption in 2016. And then...it didn't seem like it was going to happen,. Realistically, if Jordyn had wanted to have a fighting chance in Rio, she would have been seriously training for at least 6 months now.

So, is Jordyn's elite career history? I have to say, I think it is. I respect her decision to walk away from the sport, if that is what she truly wants. I suppose I just don't understand it. When Alicia Sacremone and Chellsie Memmel didn't have the Olympics they hoped for in 2008, they gave it another go for London. Even though neither made it, they still can say that they tried their best and gave it a shot.

I would love to see Wieber back in the playing field, I can't imagine that she is completely at peace with 2012 yet, though I hope she someday will be. I guess for me, if I were in her shoes, I wouldn't be able to settle with walking away from a sport that I still had a lot to offer and a lot to prove. Of course, it's not about me and I in no way know Jordyn's inner thoughts. I'm just giving my 2 cents.