I'm baaaaaaaaaaaack! 

Sorry for the extremely long hiatus folks! But I'm back and just couldn't resist all the amazing sports action going on in the Olympics! So heeeeere we go...

The London Olympics had a blockbuster opening weekend from the jaw-dropping opening ceremony (David Beckham driving a speedboat in a tux? Yes please!) to the action in the pool and at the Greenwich Arena. I'll spare everyone the commentary on how the US Teams uniforms for the Opening Ceremony, designed by the uber talented Godfather of American Sportswear, Ralph Lauren, were manufactured in China, and go straight to my favorite sport in the whole wide world...Gymnastics. 

I have loved gymnastics as long as I can remember, and spent most of my formative years in a gym, either competing or coaching. Though my dreams of actually becomming an olympian have passed, i always look forward to watching the Olympics.

This year is no different and both the US Men's and Women's teams are bursting with talent, as both teams are in first place going into the Team Finals. Unlike the qualifying rounds, where 4 compete on each event, and only 3 scores count towards the team total, the team final counts all scores, which means everyone has to be on their A-Game. The men compete this afternoon, but the event will be broadcast in the States on NBC this evening at 8PM. Lead by All-Arounders (they compete in all 6 events: Floor, Parallel Bars, High Bar, Rings, Vault and Pommel Horse) Danell Levya and Jon Orozco, this team is destined for greatness. They need to clean up a little bit on Pommel Horse (which many say is the Men's equivalent to the Women's Balance Beam), but I think they have a good chance of medaling (knock on wood). Google them and take a look at the team, they're not so bad to look at, especially Sam Mikulak :) 

The Women's Team final is tomorrow and they lead the pack not only as a team, but individually as well. In the qualifying round yesterday afternoon, the women dominated on the first three events (Vault, Uneven Bars, and Balance Beam), but faltered a bit on floor. That floor must have been incredibly springy, because three out of four US women (Gabby Douglas, Kyla Ross and Jordyn Wieber) all jumped out of bounds in their routines. They still came out on top of Russia, China and Romania going into the team final.

Now, this is where I have a little rant. The rules for the Individual All Around (where a gymnast competes on all 4 events for an individual medal) is that the Top 24 All Around gymnasts from the qualifying round compete for the gold. BUT the flaw in the rule is that each team can only send their TWO top gymnasts, even if more than 2 of the gymnasts have a top 24 All-Around score. Thus, is the plight of Jordyn Wieber. For those of you who watched last night, you know what I'm talking about. Wieber, the reigning World Champion, was shut out of the All Around competition by teammates Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman (who KILLED it on floor). While I do think that Wieber was a bit of a poor sport in how she acted after finding out her fate (I'm sorry Jordyn, but save you tears for the locker room honey and be happy for your teammates), I think the this rule is ludicrous. Wieber had the 4th highest all around score out of ALL the gymnast competing last night, and just because her two teammates had the #1 and #2 highest scores, Wieber cannot defend her title as #1 in the world. This All Around competition will not be the Top 24 gymnasts in the world, and it is high time that the IOC and the International Gymnastics Federation need to sit down and rethink this rule. It is unfair that some of the best gymnasts are not being given the opportunity they so rightfully deserve, going for the gold, because of a stupid formality. Ok rant over.

Good luck to all the gymnasts over the next couple days - can't wait to watch what happens!

Fun Fashion Fact: Team Italy's leotards allegedly were designed by legendary Italian designer, Miuccia Prada.

Hot Olympic Athlete of the Day: While US gymnast Sam Mikulak holds a flame in my heart, I'm going to the pool for this one: Ryan Lochte, whose drive and determination catapulted him past Michael Phelps in the 400 IM, is one hot tamale! Check him out tonight in the 200m Freestyle - maybe he'll sneak his red, white and blue grill onto the podium this time!

Oh! And in completely unrelated news, my loves, the Cincinnati Reds have won 10 STRAIGHT and are tied with the Washington Nationals and the New York Yankees for the best record in baseball!!! Their attempt to lengthen the streak begins tonight at home against the Padres. GO REDLEGS!!!

That's it for now kiddos, check back soon for more posts! I promise I won't leave y'all hanging for so long this time...

xoxo

The Sports Skinny