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New "Behind the Team" Video

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 20:47:00 +0000

USA Gymnastics has released a new "Behind the Team" video from the first women's national team training camp of 2012.

Watch it here.

It's great to see Nastia Liukin back in action, and watch a view training clips of the gymnasts.

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2012 Readers' Choice Award Finalists

Wed, 22 Feb 2012 00:00:28 +0000

Your nominations have been tallied! Below are the finalists for the 2012 Readers' Choice Awards. Vote for your favorites!

Voting begins today and ends March 21. Please note: To help prevent cheating, About.com asks for your e-mail address, but it will only be used for verification purposes. One vote is allowed per category per e-mail address each day.

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NCAA Routines: Ivana Hong and Samantha Shapiro

Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:29:41 +0000

Ivana Hong and Samantha Shapiro were two of my favorite elite gymnasts -- both were stylish and had impeccable form, and both had unfortunate injuries that kept their elite careers too short. Hong was one of the 2008 Olympic team alternates, and won bronze on beam at the 2009 worlds. Shapiro won beam twice and was the all-around runner-up twice at junior nationals.

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Paul Hamm Weak at Winter Cup; John Orozco Wins

Mon, 06 Feb 2012 13:32:50 +0000

Former Olympic all-around champion Paul Hamm had a rough day at this past weekend's Winter Cup. In his first meet in four years he didn't make the finals, and wasn't named to the U.S. National Team. (Read more on the meet on ESPN.com.)

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Paul Hamm to Compete this Weekend

Tue, 31 Jan 2012 20:52:12 +0000

Athens Olympic gold medalist Paul Hamm is on the roster for this weekend's Winter Cup in Las Vegas -- his first meet back since 2008.

He said in a press conference today that he was planning to do four events (floor, pommel horse, vault, and parallel bars), and is hoping he can make a complete comeback in time to make the London team.

Get more on Paul Hamm's comeback on ESPN.com.

Pictured above: Paul Hamm in 2008; © Nick Laham / Getty Images

Awkward Gymnastics Moments

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:46:26 +0000

I love this post on the Triple Twist Gym Blog -- a compilation of awkward and funny gymnastics moments, from mistimed salutes to gymnasts cutting in line during warm-ups. Check it out here.

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Individual, Rhythmic and Trampoline Olympic Qualifiers

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 20:26:03 +0000

Along with the twelve men's and women's teams that qualify to the London Olympics, 38 artistic gymnasts qualify as individuals in both men's and women's, and gymnasts qualify as countries or individuals in rhythmic and trampoline, too.

International Gymnast has a great breakdown of all of the different qualifiers -- check it out here

Teams Qualified to the Olympics

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 19:30:44 +0000

The men's and women's teams that have qualified to the London Games (only 6 months away!) have now been finalized. The top eight teams from 2011 worlds received a berth back in October, and four more teams for both the men and women qualified at the recent Olympic Test Event in London (called London Prepares).

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Men's and Women's Olympic Teams Will Be Selected at Trials

Fri, 13 Jan 2012 17:17:25 +0000

Because of the late date of Olympic Trials this year (June 28-July 1), both the men's and women's teams will be announced at the end of Trials. (The women were announced after a selection camp a few weeks after Trials in 2004 and 2008).

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Jordyn Wieber on Ellen

Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:19:55 +0000

The 2011 world all-around champion Jordyn Wieber appeared on Ellen yesterday, and the video is up on Ellen's YouTube channel. (Watch it here.)

There's a funny moment when DeGeneres asks Wieber if she secretly wishes the other gymnasts like Shawn Johnson would mess up in competition, and Wieber jokes, "Maybe deep down." And I'm so impressed that she threw a double layout off bars in the studio!

Now that it's the Olympic year, expect the debate to be non-stop: Who is the best all-around gymnast in the world -- Wieber, or 2011 world silver medalist Viktoria Komova? My money is on Wieber to win in London if she can stay healthy in these last few months. The girl has nerves of steel.