Flip, Splash

    That the U.S. Women's gymnastics team would do well in Rio was pretty much foregone.  But, after the first day of team competition, when the lead was just under 10 whole points, people began comparing the distance between the U.S. team and the rest of the competing nations to other contests.  The lead was said to be "30 points at halftime of a basketball game."  "Like a five touchdown lead."  Etc, etc.  And so, I got nervous.


   Haven't we seen people fall from the balance beam?  Haven't we seen disaster strike on the uneven bars?


   Well, there was little need for all that concern, the "Final Five" as they're getting to be known, completed their appointed rounds and won Gold, for some God, and country.


   As we move toward the individual competition, I'd like to tip my cap to the two lesser-known women on the team, Lauren Hernandez and Madison Kocian.  To me, those two are the glue, the guts, the people you need on your team to truly make it a team.


   Simone Biles is the new star, and rightfully so, she's going to be the best in the world, if she isn't, already.  Aly Raisman is a steady veteran.  Her Amanar vault was pretty much perfect.   Gaby Douglas, is, well, Gaby Douglas and if you haven't been under a rock, you know that name.


   Hernandez made the team based on the strength of her performance in the last two events at Trials, and deserves to be in Rio, no doubt.  She matched her best score of the year on bars yesterday, when it really mattered.


   Kocian is the story. 


   The 19 year old from Dallas may be the surprise of the individual all-around competition.  Her bars score during the team event was the highest on the team, and while she may not be at that level on floor, the vibe here is that she might just show the world a thing or two on vault and beam.  And this is after breaking her foot in February.  She is the only member of the team who maintains NCAA eligibility, and intends to matriculate at UCLA in the fall.


   I love me some Olympics.
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  Last night one of the guys in my "Great Satan" Olympics pool (I'll tell you later) sent a one word note.   "Katinka!"


  He refers, of course, to Hungary's finest, Katinka Hosszu.  The 27 year old has swum to Gold three times already, this Olympiad, dropped an event yesterday, and still has entries in three more events.


  200m IM, Gold.  Olympic record.  100m backstroke, Gold.  400m IM, Gold, Olympic record, World record.


   Michael who?