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Gymnastics: US Women Take...

Gold! It's the first gold for Team USA since 1996

By the Associated Press

Posted Jul 31, 2012 12:44 PM CDT

(AP) – The Americans lived up to the hype and then some, winning their first Olympic gold medal in women's gymnastics since 1996. Won it in a rout, too. Their score of 183.596 was a whopping five points ahead of Russia. Romania won the bronze. With three incredible vaults to open the evening, Jordyn Wieber, Gabby Douglas, and McKayla Maroney set a relentless pace that the Russians simply couldn't match.

Kyla Ross and Alexandra Raisman rounded out the five competitors for the United States, and the group watched Raisman's final score on the floor hit the board, then erupted in celebration. The Americans had come into the last two Olympics as world champions, only to leave without a gold. But this team is the strongest, top to bottom, the Americans have ever had, and the rest of the world never stood a chance.

U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross, right, hugs teammate Alexandra Raisman during the Artistic Gymnastics women's team final.
U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross, right, hugs teammate Alexandra Raisman during the Artistic Gymnastics women's team final.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the balance beam.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the balance beam.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross, center, hugs teammate Jordyn Wieber.
U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross, center, hugs teammate Jordyn Wieber.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas is hugged by U.S. coach Jenny Zhang after her performance on the beam.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas is hugged by U.S. coach Jenny Zhang after her performance on the beam.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
In this multiple exposure photo, U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross performs on the balance beam.
In this multiple exposure photo, U.S. gymnast Kyla Ross performs on the balance beam.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney performs on the vault.
U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney performs on the vault.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
U.S. head coach John Geddert hugs Gabrielle Douglas.
U.S. head coach John Geddert hugs Gabrielle Douglas.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnast Jordyn Wieber, second left, lifts up the hand of teammate Alexandra Raisman.
U.S. gymnast Jordyn Wieber, second left, lifts up the hand of teammate Alexandra Raisman.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
U.S. gymnasts, from left to right, Alexandra Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross celebrate.
U.S. gymnasts, from left to right, Alexandra Raisman, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney and Kyla Ross celebrate.   (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the balance beam.
U.S. gymnast Gabrielle Douglas performs on the balance beam.   (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)
U.S. gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber bite their gold medals.
U.S. gymnasts McKayla Maroney, Kyla Ross, Alexandra Raisman, Gabrielle Douglas and Jordyn Wieber bite their gold medals.   (AP Photo/Matt Dunham)
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COMMENTS
Showing 2 of 2 comments
Motherchucker
Jul 31, 2012 2:59 PM CDT
Is 13 too young for the olympics? Win the gold at recess and back to school?
Dewser
Jul 31, 2012 1:57 PM CDT
arg, reminder to self, stop coming to newser for the next few weeks until the olympics are over. If i dont want to get a spoiler right in the headline. 

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Team USA • 2012 London Olympics • gymnastics • gold medal

 
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