Gabby Douglas leads women gymnasts to London
Gabby Douglas competes in the floor exercise event during the final round of the women's Olympic gymnastics trials on July 1, 2012. Credit: AP
SAN JOSE, Calif. -- Gabby Douglas has impeccable timing.
The 16-year-old upset world champion Jordyn Wieber for the first time last night, winning the Olympic trials and the lone guaranteed spot for the London Games.
Douglas, bolstered by a dazzling uneven bars routine, beat Wieber by a mere 0.1 points after finishing a close second at last month's U.S. championship and the first night of trials. Wieber soon joined her on what will be the strongest team the Americans have had since 1996, one that will be not just favored but expected to bring home only the second Olympic team gold.
McKayla Maroney and Aly Raisman, who were with Douglas and Wieber on the U.S. team that won the title at last fall's world championships, also made the team, as did Kyla Ross.
Douglas led the team onto the floor as they were introduced, biting her lip to hold back tears.
Douglas served notice of her potential at this year's American Cup when she actually beat Wieber, though her scores didn't count because she was an alternate. She came up just short at nationals and again the first night of trials.
