Women's Podium Training at the 2012 Olympic Games

LONDON, England - The U.S. women trained on the competition equipment and had a chance to experience the arena during today's podium training at the 2012 Olympic Games at the North Greenwich Arena on Thurs., July 26.


The U.S. women are in Subdivision 3 (of five), along with Canada, Great Britain and France. The United States, which starts on vault, will compete on July 29.


The U.S. Women’s Team includes Gabby Douglas of Virginia Beach, Va./Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute, McKayla Maroney of Long Beach, Calif./All Olympia Gymnastics Center, Aly Raisman of Needham, Mass./Brestyan’s American Gymnastics, Kyla Ross of Aliso Viejo, Calif./Gym-Max Gymnastics, and Jordyn Wieber of DeWitt, Mich./Gedderts’ Twistars USA.


Olympic Team coach John Geddert said, "I think it was outstanding. I think the girls were right on point. They were just as good as they were at Worlds. They hit the floor and did everything they needed to do. Vault was outstanding and bars were really good."


Here are a few comments from the U.S. Olympic Team members:


Ross on podium training: "I think it went really well today. We came out and had really strong vaults. I was really excited to stick my Yurchenko double twist. It was really exciting to come and see the venue. We've been here for a week and we've been working towards this, so it's exciting to finally be here."


Raisman on podium training: "Podium training I think went really well. I'm proud of all my teammates. We've been working really hard, so just to finally be able to be out on the Olympic podium training was really amazing and so exciting."


Douglas on the team gaining momentum: "We looked so strongly prepared. We kind of had a couple wobbles and bobbles, but we're still learning to adapt. Overall I think it went really well. We're all so hyped and on fire."


Maroney on getting comfortable with her teammates: "It was really fun to get out there and do my vault, and I was really excited to go to that arena. I love it just being there with all the girls. I was really happy with how everybody did."


Wieber on the team vaults: "I think we've all been working so hard on vault. Just to get those Amanars not only hit, but with good landings is the most important thing. I'm really proud of everyone for going out today and hitting our two-and-a-halfs strong right at the beginning of the practice. It was great for us."


Martha Karolyi on the pressure of the Olympics: "They can handle it. The confidence level is very high, and I think that is the main strength of this team."

Photos by John Cheng