USA Men's Gymnastics

I ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED THIS ON FACEBOOK ON AUG. 12, 2008.

At 10:32 p.m. last night two people texted me and said, "did you see that?"

An amazing high bar routine by Justin Sprig. Huge release skills and a stuck landing. The second stick in a row. Almost anyone who knows me well knows— I did see it. As a huge Olympic fan, and even bigger gymnastics fan, I dedicate myself to the TV for two weeks once every four years.

The men pulled off a medal last night with all smiles. The tradition men's gymnastics has never been as well followed as women's, but they work just as hard. From a tradition on Blaine Wilson in the last 3 Olympic games, (Atlanta, Sydney and Athens) and the Hamm twins competing in both Sydney and Athens - USA men's gymnastics sought after their former selves of the 1984 games where they won gold. Clinching silver in 2004 finally giving Wilson an Olympic medal. That was an amazing story in and of itself. Except that- the 2004 team had Olympic veterans and star power.

The Hamm twins gained world attention in Sydney for their ability to remain calm under pressure, but it was not until Athens that their true talent really shined. Paul exercising huge release followed by huge release followed by huge release on the high bars and Morgan shined on floor. With Paul winning the all around gold medal, team USA never felt so good. That is until the controversy over scoring tainted Paul's win and ruined the perfect 10.0 for gymnastics.

With now a more complicated scoring system and both Hamm twins getting injured right before the game forcing two alternates to compete- the US 2008 men managed to pull off a medal against all odds. Stepping out of bounds on the floor and sitting on the pommel horse the only two major flaws. (If you call stepping out of bounds major, which it can often be at a competition at this level.) They held off the Germans. Japan never thought they would have to battle so hard for their silver and America never thought they would lose their two most accomplished gymnasts, but this is the world of gymnastics.

Every step counts and whether your tumbling to compete or tumbling to warm up- injuries happen. In a sport where balance and strength are key- injuries are often a deal breaker. The team held out though, perhaps none better than Jonathon Horton- who never faltered, cheered his teammates on (even when they didn't perform their best), and smiled at his bronze as if it were a gold.

Women's tonight- I'm never going to sleep.