Rio Reflections

I hate to say this, I really do, but Rio was a tiny bit of a let down to me. Part of the reason was that I had really built it up in my mind these four years and partly because it was just so predictable. I wanted that epic moment when you realize who is going to win after the score is flashed, not when you go in knowing without a doubt what the majority of the podiums will look like. I wanted to root for a team that felt united and that I had been hoping for. The Final Five competed really well but I don't know, I just didn't feel their team chemistry like the Fierce Five and the team selection was so corrupted that I just felt bitter.

Still, Rio had it's merits! Here are my high points:

1. Simone's four gold medals. Yes, she made the Games predictable but that's not to say I didn't appreciate what she accomplished. It was so nice to see someone finally living up to their hype. I know the chances of this are near impossible, but can you imagine the downfall if she'd failed to deliver the performances we all knew her to be capable of?
2. Aly winning silver in the AA and floor. I've always felt fond to Aly because we're the same age and she just seems like a very genuine person. She sold me with that floor routine in London that I still watch occasionally. Her gymnastics aren't my favorite but I love that her hard work has been rewarded. Her comeback was real, earned and even better than before. I wish she would have decided to retire after Rio though. I think it would have been great for her to go out on such a high note and make room for the newcomers.
3. Sanne Weivers winning gold on beam! Sad that Simone fell but Sanne had the routine of her life and it was simply lovely. I'm on the fence as to how I feel about actually replacing tumbling with dance on floor but I don't mind it on beam because I do think it's equally as difficult.
4. Aliya's repeat bar title. She also makes me "lows" list but that bar routine was spot on and I'm glad she was rewarded after being worked to the ground these last four years. I was also happy with Maddie winning silver, she did her job.
5. USA's leotards. Oh my gosh, we finally pulled it together. I kind of hated the V neck one worn for event finals but the qualification and team finals were absolutely gorgeous and patriotic.
6. The arena. Love the green.

Lows:

1. Our team not being who it should have been.
2. Shang getting robbed in the AA. I've rewatched routines and there is no way Aliya should have scored ahead of her with that beam, I  mean geez.
3. Lackluster floor routines. Where was the epic music? Where was the emotion even? I wanted Kyla's opera, the urgency of Aliya and Jordyn's London music.
4. Vault finals were disappointing. I really don't care how difficult a vault you can execute if you can't land it. Sorry. I love Chuso as much as everyone else but don't attempt something you aren't consistent at. It's not even safe.
5. The Chinese getting screwed for bar finals. In favor of a certain American among others. I mean come on, the CHINESE AND BARS! It's like peanut butter and jelly.
6. Predictability as stated above. Oh and NO EMOTIONAL THEME SONG? I want Phillip Phillips back.

Overall, I don't think I'll rewatch Rio nearly as much as I have London, here's to Tokyo being twice as awesome.

USA Goes 1-2

Sorry for posting this so late but hurray for Aly and Simone! As stressful as it was to watch Aly make that mistake on bars, it did give some suspense to the whole watching experience that hasn't been there yet. In the end, it was pretty obvious that Musty couldn't overcome her balk on beam.

I'm sure I'm not in the minority when I say that I was crying right along with Aly after her FX. Gahhh, it was so beautiful! And then when she said to Mihai, "That was my best double turn ever!", I'd literally been thinking the same thing. She worked so hard and this is what it looks like to have that pay off. Being second in the world! I've been a big fan of Aly's for a long time. We're teh same age so I guess I live vicariously through her haha. Her and Simone are such genuine, classy young ladies and I'm so happy to see them reach such success.

Now, I love Aliya but I do agree with those who thing that Shang should have gotten bronze. On a good day, Aliya would have the edge over her in difficulty from VT but this was not a good day for Musty. She opened the door with beam and Shang should have been able to walk through it but was definitely underscored on that day, as well as previously in the games. I'm excited for the day when China can be scored fairly and make podiums again.

Back soon with EF thoughts!

The Final Five Get it Done

Quite an upset, am I right?

Jk, this was the most predictable team final of all time. And I can't lie, that made it a lot less fun. I love that the US has so much talent but it sure does make it boring when we know we'll win by such a ginormous margin. London, had me at the edge of my seat. Rio found me comfortably reclining.

Vault was fabulous by all, though Laurie's form does leave a lot to be desired. Bars were a bit scary for Simone but she managed. And Gabby and Madison both had really nice routines. Beam was good, floor was excellent. And our girls came away with a gold medal and a pretty team name.

I was blue that China didn't get silver but not unhappy for Russia. Aliya is the queen! I would love for her to rock AA and come out with a bronze.

And Shang broke my heart during bars :((((( while Mao further bruised it during floor. Sad. I just wish the other teams could get some consistency. They have the talent.

Back tomorrow!

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!

Podium Training Thoughts

I have just a few because I hardly got to watch any of it due to the little girl I'm babysitting this summer making me play dolls with her. Does she not get it?

Anyway, I saw vault and a bit of bars and that's it. From the lineup and the article already published on Yahoo, it seems that are AA's will be Simone, Aly and Gabby. Sorry Laurie, you were screwed over in favor of someone who looks like they're phoning it in.

Let's be real, Gabby did not look good from what I saw. And people can go on and on about her never looking good in PT but don't you think that after her little regime at the death camp that she would have it together by this point? Once again, the benefit of the doubt was given to one person and one person only.

Basically, I'm just ready for Aly to kick butt and take names on Sunday. Seriously, this girl needs to rock it. And you can tell she's completely ready. Unlike others.

Lastly, I'm still yawning over that leotard. I swear I've seen it at least once before. Under Armour fails to impress me. There is nothing "wow" about that design. So typical, so predictable. Why don't they just hire me to design the leos already? Sheesh.

Rio Ready

Qualifications are Sunday.

I repeat, Rio qualifications are SUNDAY.

Four years of waiting and it's finally time.

And I'll be on an island.

A literal island.

Seriously, my aunt's family owns an island (right?) and my family and I are going to stay the weekend. Supposedly, we will be home by seven on Sunday night. This should put me in the clear to watch the broadcast. But so help me if it doesn't...

I might have to just swim home. 


Olympic coverage to come.