US women’s gymnastics team in training

“I would have loved to go out there and defend my title, but right now I’m just rejoicing”, said Douglas, as the dominant United States topped China in qualifying for Tuesday’s team final by almost 10 points.

The 2015 world championships bronze medallists Great Britain are likely to contend with Russian Federation and China for a podium place.

Biles took the first step in bringing back five gold medals, qualifying first in the balance beam, floor exercise and vault event finals.

Simone Biles of US looks to threaten countrywoman Gabreille Douglas for the all-around title in women’s artistic gymnastics.

“He walked into the cafeteria, and Aly (Raisman) and Gabby (Douglas) about flipped the dinner table and screamed ‘It’s Usain!’ like little girls”, said 19-year-old Biles, a record 10-time world champion tipped to be one of the stars of the Rio Games.

“It’s really hard because I think all five of us could make the all-around final”. The two-per-country rule cost a few USA gymnasts spots in the event and all-around finals.

But Team USA won’t be allowed to sweep the podium due to a long-standing rule put in place by the FIG, the world federation of gymnastics.

Raisman narrowly edged out Douglas for that honor on Sunday. Douglas and Raisman tied for seventh. Nor is winning two medals on every event except vault.

Fans are irate because Douglas was seen as putting on a mistake-free performance, whereas teammate Raisman was seen nearly falling during her exercise.

Her maneuvers included an Amanar and Cheng on vault, her trademark “Biles” tumbling run on floor and a full-twisting double back dismount on beam.

And she gets high praise from another gymnastics icon: Mary Lou Retton, who was the first American to win all-around gold at the Olympics in 1984. She let out a cry of delight when she finished her routine, getting a score of 15.633.

But Team USA’s A-game proved itself again to be the best in the world.

China took third at the 2015 World Championships. Initially I was scared when she tried it but her never-say-die attitude makes her confident.

For Raisman, it’s a chance at the medal she missed in London after losing a tiebreaker to finish fourth. Eythora Thorsdottir finished eighth all-around and Lieke Wevers will join her in the all-around after finishing 17th. Reigning world bars champion Madison Kocian had one job in Rio: to deliver a spectacular bar routine. I know my whole career is building toward the Olympics and it can sound like a lot of pressure, but I’m just staying focused on what I can control and do my thing. Most of the women competing have yet to hit the age of 20.

Yes, Raisman’s teammates call her “grams” or “grandma” just because she is a veteran on the team and team captain. But there’s still some tremendous gymnastics done by women considered old for the sport. “I wouldn’t say I’m disappointed”, she said. Danell Leyva, a 2012 Olympic bronze medalist in the all-around, did not. She’s got two gold medals from that Olympics. Romania did not qualify as a team for Rio, which left Ponor to qualify as an individual.

Then there’s the wonder of Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan.