USA Women's Olympic Gymnastics Team Announced

A month after the Olympic Trials, the USA Women's gymnastics team has now been officially announced. Gymnasts Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel, Samantha Peszek, and Bridget Sloan will represent the United States in Beijing. The final team selection was made this weekend at an Olympic Training Camp just outside of Houston, TX.

The selection process began at the Olympic Trials, where top athletes Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin solidified their spots on team USA. An additional ten women were invited to contend for the final four spots during a four-day selection camp near Houston. Based on strong performances at the U.S National Championships and the U.S. Olympic Trials, Alicia Sacramone, Chellsie Memmel, and Samantha Peszek were considered likely candidates for the remaining openings. The final spot, however, was more highly contested. Bridget Sloan, who struggled at the Olympic Trials, nabbed the spot by posting high marks during the final competition that took place at this weekends' training camp.

With this year's Olympic team in place, the United States is expected to perform well in Beijing. Many people believe that Johnson and Liukin could be the top two gymnasts in the world. Johnson is the defending World All-Around Champion. In 2008 she won both the U.S. National Championships and the U.S. Olympic Trials. Liukin is one of America's most decorated athletes, having won a total of nine World Championship medals.

Making the Olympic team is perhaps most meaningful for Sacramone and Memmel. Both gymnasts narrowly missed competing in the 2004 Olympic Games. Sacramone faltered at the 2004 U.S. National Championships and failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympic Trials. Memmel, injured at the time, was chosen as an alternate for the 2004 team, though she did not compete in Athens. In Beijing, both gymnasts are expected to post high marks. Memmel is a strong performer on all four events, while Sacramone is known for her top-notch vaulting and floor exercise.