2012 Olympic Team Trials

USA Gymnastics names 2012 USA Women's OLYMPIC TEAM

The 2012 U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team has been announced, following the final day of competition at the Olympic Team Trials in San Jose. Gabby Douglas moved ahead of reigning World Champion J...

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Martha Karolyi on Selecting the 2012 USA Olympic Team 11653 views

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Uploaded by Anne From Gymnastike | July 2, 2016

USA Women's National team coordinator Martha Karolyi talks about the selection of the 2012 USA Gymnastics women's Olympic Team.

The five girls are: Gabby Douglas, Jordyn Wieber, McKayla Maroney, Aly Raisman, and Kyla Ross.

Alternates are: Elizabeth Price, Sarah Finnegan, and Anna Li

Speakers: Martha Karolyi

Categories: Interview, team usa, olympic trials

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48 comments

Settting the Record Straight 10 months ago

I made no comments in my post about the team selections that's hy I titled this setting the record straight. I did not say Elizabeth should have been selected over anyone. I completely understand why those who who made the team were selected and for what events. I am happy to be having all of them represent the United States at the Olympics and hope they all go out and do their best and we win the gold. I used results from both competitions because consistency was supposedly valued. Of course, Kyla Ross was picked for bars and she usually scores higher than Elizabeth Price all-around (although Elizabeth beat her at trials). I was merely setting the record straight that Elizabeth was third on vault and if she was called up to compete she would be able to contribute to vault. My note was solely in response to the comments that she was 4th behind Douglas, Wieber, and Sacramone or was 4th or lower on everything and would not contribute to any event. McKayla of course consistently scores 16 or higher on her Amanar and can compete and medal in the individual vault competition. While we're looking, let's look at the other events, Elizabeth and McKayla are close on floor (14.8 versus 14.77) (I've seen posts elsewhere touting how much better McKayla was on floor), McKayla averaged better than Elizabeth on beam but not far apart (14.4 versus 14.21) and Elizabeth averaged a lot better on bars (14.75 versus 13.48). Elizabeth is a better all-around gymnast than McKayla (59.6 versus 58.6) only because her bars are so much better that it more than makes up for the .35 advantage McKayla has on her for vault. I thin the main point is that with vault being the only likely place either would be used in a team final, McKayla comes out on top because she scores higher and does a second vault and can compete for another medal.

Setting the Record Straight 10 months ago

In response to Sad Fan, you said Elizabeth Price was 4th on vault after Douglas, Wieber and Sacramone. What???? Elizabeth Price scored third on vault (OT 31.75, VC 31.4, Total 63.15) in a team format after McKayla (OT 32.25, VC, 32.3 if double her day 1 score, total 64.55) and Jordan (OT 31.7, VC 31.55 Total 63.25). Gabby (OT 31.8, VC 31.15 total 62.95) and Alicia (OT 31.5, VC 30.95, Total 62.45) both score lower. Elizabeth has never scored below 15.6 in competition unlike Gabby who scored 15.35 on one of her vaults at VC and Alicia who has lower difficulty vaults that scored 15.45 and 15.5 at VC. If you look at OT and VC separately, Elizabeth also scored third after McKayla and Jordyn at OT and McKayla and Gabby at VC. She could definitely contribute to the team score in prelims and finals on vault.

Oh Bitterness Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

Answer my question?! Why was Holly Vise left out of the 2004 Olympic team? You can't answer that can you? Who's starting to call people names now? Who's the "idiot" calling yourself "Anonymous Coward?" Who's talking out their own ass by changing subjects all the time? Stay on subject! Oh bitterness, bitterness. Please stop being BITTER!

mimi 10 months ago

im glad there are some sensible comments on here unlike on some other gym articles comment sections.

i mean, i dont know how people can logically argue against the mathematics in this team. the average of these particular girls' scores is sky-high.
mind you, i doubt the naysayers will be complaining about this team, or ebee price not making the team, or marta's prejudice, when these girls get a team medal, or when mckayla wins gold on vault. *rolls eyes*.

really annoyed (gym star) 10 months ago

I wasn't referring to your comment I was talking to whoever did play the race card and I don't get why you think I was reffering to yuor comment.
I have my opinion you have yours GET OVR IT!!! So don't call me an idiot when I didn't even refer to you or yourcomments. Also in my comment I said QUIT playing the race card to those that were saying it had to do with race. GET OVER YOURSELF!!!

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

First of all. anon is for anyone who doesn't put those corny stupid random names in the title so you don't even know what the hell you're talking about. I NEVER said Price should have been on the team, that was someone else entirely you idiot! If YOU knew how to read I have said repeatedly that i think she did NOT earn her right to be on this team, and it wasn't a selection from a racial point of view. What I said was this team is just too deep to take everyone, but if it WAS a seven person team, She would have been MY seventh pick, NOT whoever was talking about Price prior to me. So get your freaking facts straight and your Anons together before you talk out of your ass next time!!

gym star 10 months ago

1: Quit playing the race card.
2: Elizabeth was one of the few athletes that didn't fall once at visas trials show the inexpeirience doesn't matter. She's proven herself.
3:Don't insult her for her lack of flow SHE HAS TRIED HER BEST!!!
4: Quit making excuses or Alicia saying she declined, Elizabeth outscored her on vault and finnegan could contribute on floor aswell as beam.
5: I love Elizabeth and have met her before but nothing I say is going to change anything so just shut up and respect Martha's decision. It wasn't that biased this tie around.

Emma 10 months ago

Now wait just a minute.... Kyla Ross is part African American?!

Oh Bitterness Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

@ Anonymous Coward. Okay seven, but Price wouldn't make the team anyways! What is your point?! Didn't I just mentioned that? It's who in their proffessions best fit to represent USA! Didn't you read?! What's up with this race card thing? First of all, you say Price wasn't on the team because she was dark color but there were many minorities on the 2004 gymnastic Olympic team and there will be in 2016 starting with Katelyn Ohashi. If race was the issue explain Holly Vise for me?! She was caucasian and GOOD! Why wasn't she on the 2004 olympic gymnastic team?! And why would you say a six black swimmers beat a six white swimmers after trials had just been done and finished with? And historically have six black swimmers beat six white swimmers before? You are all over the place! Stop making excuses!

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

Even GOLF, when tiger woods first won the Masters all hell practically DID break loose with comments like "Well I guess the masters dinner will serve fried chicken and collard greens" or whatever ignorant statements were made! That wall had to be broken down, now all these years later, its hard to even imagine golf without Tiger Woods but it didn't come easy, so lets not act like nobody played the "race card" then. It came with a struggle. You continue to be naive if you want to. Whatever makes you sleep at night. Oh and guess what, you still haven't made me BE QUIET!!

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

I would have selected finnegan too if it was a 6 person team, but I said SEVEN person team!! I would love to see you make me be quiet!!! First of all, TRACK is based on speed and numbers, the same way gymnastics should be based on scores. If all white team was named it is BECAUSE they got the highest scores! Same with SWIMMING!!! It's not a subjective sport like gymnastics where artistry and personal taste come into play, in RACES style has nothing to do with crossing the finish line first. It's about the FASTEST TIME and historcally white swimmers have been faster, BLACK track sprinters have been faster, WHITE bicyclists have been faster, WHITE long distance runners have been dominated by whites or kenyans! But if tomorrow, 6 black swimmers beat their TIME then that is what it is. They weren't SELECTED to win the race, they won because THEY WON!! Is that enough RACE CARDS FOR YOU TO BE DISGUSTED BY?? So once again MAKE ME BE QUIET!!!!

Bitter People Will Play The R 10 months ago

@ Anonymous Coward Oh be quiet you BITTER person you! Stop making excuses! I would pick Sarah Finnegan over Elizabeth Price if it was a six persons team anyways! You mentioned about an all African American team for gymnatics and all hell will break loose! Explain this than, what if there is an all American Caucasian in Track and Field and or an all American Asian Basketball team as well. Will all hell break loose?! Because it happens in other countries such as Russia, Germany, and China etc... Their countries are consist of what I just mentioned of an all Causasian in Track and Field and an all Asian Basketball team. You are making dumb excuses! Stop it! It's who best fit for the team to represent USA and in their professions too! Stop being BITTER and move on already! You are like a thorn on the side! Bitter people will always play the race card!

Bitter People Will Play The R 10 months ago

@ Anonymous Coward Oh be quiet you BITTER person you! Stop making excuses! I would pick Sarah Finnegan over Elizabeth Price if it was a six persons team anyways! You mentioned about an all African American team for gymnatics all hell will break loose. Explain this than what if there is an all American Caucasian in Track and Field and or an all American Asian Basketball team as well. Will all hell break loose?! Because it happens in other countries such as Russia, Germany, and China etc... You are making dumb excuses! Stop it! It's who best fit for the team to represent USA and in their professions too! Stop being BITTER and move on already! You are like a thorn on the side!

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

excuse me, if you're excluded from something because of your race (whether you are a minority or a majority), you have every RIGHT to be upset about it and speak out about it. RACE ISSUES IS NOT A FREAKING CARD GAME, ITS REALITY!!! Gin Rummy, Old Maid, Blackjack. THOSE are cards games. People who think it is a game shows their ignorance on a humungous scale! And GABBY HAS been accused of getting her scores and attention solely based on the fact that she is black. Nevermind her upgrades, her practices, her camps, her commitment in a sport she is clearly a minority in. A very popular (and disgusting) blog has openly said Gabby is only getting scores because she is black! The comments went past 100 and NOT ONE person even batted an eyelash or came to the girls rescue. The most they did was join in on the chorus and agree. So lets not get DISGUSTED when someone even brings it up, dear. My PERSONAL opinion is Ebee didn't make it this go around because this team is entirely too deep to take everyone. If this was a 7 person team, I have no doubt she would have been selected. Marta is no racist. She doesn't place people on the team because they are black, and conversely she doesn't deny them a spot because they are. She is looking at athleticism, scores, consistency, start values etc (ie. GYMNASTICS) to come up with a winning formula from the "cards" she's been dealt. If this squad consisted entirely of caucasian girls, it wouldn't be huge earth-shaking shock because it's happened several times before in this sport, but if the entire team consisted of all african americans, then all hell would break loose and you KNOW it! You can continue to live in denial if you want to, but the facts are what they are until it doesn't matter anymore. As for gay. You have to be kidding me. Look no further than youtube comments about "oh thats so gay.." and f word this and that. those are not terms of endearment, they are used NEGATIVELY so they have to fight for at least MINIMAL EQUALITY! But since you are probably not black or gay, you could really give a crap because it doesn't affect you personally, but some don't have to be either to see the wrong in it. The End.

to recent anon coward 10 months ago

and what does that have to do with gymnastics??? prejudice will always exist, whether you are fat or thin or disabled or tall or short or good looking or average etc.... get over your toxicity of just race. It is so funny that if Price was named to top 5 that folks would say she only got it because she was black. In America the race card is the excuse for everything - whoops except the gay card. Who did not make the team because they were gay? I am not disgusted about racism at all - it exists in every culture and has been so for all time - I dont get picked for alot of things because I am not a minority - that is racism right? I am OK with it - it just means I have to work a little harder.

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

I love when someone is never disgusted with racism itself and acts like it never exists, but they have the NERVE to be disgusted when someone brings it up. Well that's too damn bad. It will ALWAYS be brought up because this country has deep roots in racism. It happens. I don't think it happened in this case at all, but DAMNIT IT HAPPENS!! If you want to be DISGUSTED by something, be disgusted at the fact that it OFTEN happens, instead of getting indignant when someone discusses the possibility of it happening. You would rather put your fingers in your ears and sing la la la just because it's not something you have to personally deal with, doesn't mean NOBODY DOES.. SO GET OVER IT AND SCREW OFF!!!

respectful 10 months ago

Some of you posters are insane. Why does the race card always come up? Why can't you just focus on the fact that ALL of these young women have worked all their young lives for this opportunity? It's life - not everyone can "win" in every contest. You people who bring up the race thing are disgusting - THAT is why the world is still the way it is! Have some respect for the athletes.

AllAmerican 10 months ago

Kyla Ross is also part African American and has always been a pet and fave for YEARS of Marta. so I don't believe that the process is racist at all.

Sad Fan 10 months ago

Price is an amazing gymnast, but because of the 5-3-3 format in the TF, Price cannot help. The AA only matters to the top two athletes because of the two country rule, after that it's all events and consistency. Aly makes the team because of her consistency. But back to Price.

Price places 4th on vault (behind Douglas, Wieber, and Sacramone) therefore she can not help in a 3 up 3 count
Price finishes 5th place on bars, once again her score can not help team USA
She then finishes 9th place on beam, no where close to helping team USA
Price finished the night on floor where she once again placed 4th, right out of the top 3. Hope this helps :)
Because of her good finishes; however, she makes the perfect alternate. She could potientially step in on all events.

Danielle 10 months ago

+1 to OMG

Hey Anonymous Coward You Suck 10 months ago

Holly Vise was left out of the 2004 Olympic team! AND she was GOOD unlike" no flow" Price! And she was not dark color! How about that! Explain that Anonymous Coward?!

You suck Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

@ Anonymous Coward: Did you see Price on Floor and Beam? She look STIFFED There were no flow in her fx, and beam routines at all! Plus she always goes out of bounds on Vault! What's this about "dark color"? In 2004 olympic team there were many "dark color"/ minorities on the team! And I believe in 2016 Rio there will be more minorities on the team starting with Katelyn Ohashi and Sarah Finnegan! It's what's best for the United States chances of winning gold!

OMG 10 months ago

If I hear one more person complain about how not putting Elizabeth Price on the 5 person squad due to her race I will scream. It is an ignorant and offensive accusation. DO THE MATH. Gabby and Jordan were locks. Why... Because they are 2 of the best AA gymnast in the world. Ally is the best American on beam & floor. Mykayla is the best American on vault and unlike Price adds the potential for a GOLD medal on vault at the games. Look at the official score sheet at scores from night 1 & 2. Based on potential high scores...vault: Weiber, Douglas, Maroney; bars: Weiber, ??, Douglas; beam: ??, Weiber, Raisman; floor: Douglas, Weiber, Raisman. Between Ross & Price...Ross gets the open slots on bars & beam in which she beat Price.
Please be respectful of the athletes and national staff. Everyone is working towards winning GOLD at the games and could use all the support we can give.

Whiners 10 months ago

Why is everyone whining? This is the right team regardless if Marta is in charge or not. Price was so close - but objectively look - her AA might have been higher but how was she going to boost scores? She was not. Maroney, Douglas and Weiber all out scored her on Vault Day two. McKayla outscored her on beam second day and floor at least one day. She cannot touch Raisman on beam or floor and Price gives a safe bars score. Someone said it AA does not show your true benefit. In the old days when we had 7 gymnasts on team and 6 competed in prelim and finals - it was different. It is a whole new world. I like price alot - if Mckayla had missed any of her vaults or had really missed floor - IDK. If Price had nailed vault - she did not - did good but others did as well. I too blieve that ASac may have declined an alternate position. Not positive, but her camp has been very very quiet and no tweets. She also may have benefited from a McKayla Meltdown. Race card makes me laugh. If anything - Marta and Bela have always favored african american gymnasts...don't know why, but they always have and that is a known fact. Has it been identified whether all alternates are going to London or not?

mimi 10 months ago

oh please don't play the race card.

olympic selection isn't purely based on 2 days of trials.. it's but one of many events that are considered for selection! the committee would have been following the progress of the girls since worlds 2011 and they are very open about that fact. every girl on that 5 member team deserved to be there and rightfully earned their spot.
and since when was AA the only way to be considered a legit and deserving gymnast? when one gymnast excels on a particular apparatus it should be celebrated, not used as a reason for attacking a gymnast's credibility or ability.
elizabeth is a wonderful gymnast but 2 great days with little experience isn't enough because thats not what trials are about. trials are about showing consistency and not peaking too early rather than a cut and dry AA rankings! elizabeth still has a shot at rio 2016 if she stays healthy and relatively injury free.

Anonymous Coward 10 months ago

Thats Bull!!! How do you select two girls that Elizabeth Price clearly beat out. We all know what this is about. Cant have too many dark skins on the team... Those two girls she chose over Elizabeth are not gonna perform watch. And of course Elizabeth is gonna have to step in just watch. That is such BS.....

sarah 10 months ago

The team is perfect. Price is an amazing gymnast but didn't really fit into the equation. As wieber and douglas were locks anyway. Aly was also bout 95% lock as they need her leadership as well as her floor and beam. Between those three, they needed someone else strong on beam and bars. Kyla beat price on both events. With those four they are strong team in all events, so they needed to see where they could score any extra points, which would be Mckaylas vaults which genrally score 0.5+ then anyone else. The alternatives work too, for anyone that cant compete. Sarah great at floor and beam, price at bars and vault.

GJJ 2020 10 months ago via Flosports for iOS

why doesn't Aly get tenths off on almost every move?

Danielle 10 months ago

@PLEASE ... you're the one that's in fairytale land if you think Nastia would have made the team based on one hit bar routine out of 4 and 3.5 weeks of training.

@anyone else who thinks Price was "robbed" ... Price is a good gymnast, but she could not offer better than what the 5 girls offer the team. She is, however, a great alternate because she has the potential to step in on multiple events and produce a decent score. You also have to consider the fact that she has very little experience and, although she did great this weekend, she has not been as consistent in the past. One good meet does not make you an automatic olympian.

PLEASE 10 months ago

Anyone that thinks Marta only cares about winning needs to move out of fairytale land and into reality. She cares more about what she wants then she cares about anything.

She has broken and bent the rules for her precious favorites more then once and in the end it has not worked out.
If Nastia has not fallen off bars on night two she was on the team. If you call that fair you are wrong.

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