2008 U.S. Nationals Opening Fluff

[@kellyshahan2550]

I do believe Nastia looked over her shoulder to make sure nobody was watching her while she’s serving herself. I can imagine the fear and anxiety every time they went to the ranch. I’m glad it’s permanently closed so no other gymnast will suffer like that again.

[@skategurl1102]

I agree.It's not just the way he talks about the Americans it also gymnasts from other countries.If you go on other boards you'll see a lot of people complaining how they ignorant they are.I have been watching gymnastics for a long time and it seems like Tim & Elfi just won't go away.

[@skategurl1102]

Yes,Moceanu fell on both vaults but I think the lowest score got dropped where as in Beijing all scores counted.It really doesn't matter though b/c China was a far better team than the US at that time.

[@DanishRoyalFan15]

Fluff is kind of a "behind the scenes" look, sort of. That's my best definition for it.

[@sacuin]

Ivana looks so pretty when she's sitting on that wooden bench.

[@skategurl1102]

I have a theory on that.Have you noticed how Tim Daggett always says that she lost the gold for the team.He says that in the opening fluff of 2011 Nationals and a bunch of other times when she's performing.When ignorant people say things like that some people start to believe it.

[@stanparc1]

I completely agree!

[@USANieke]

Thank you. Your English is great 2 :-D I should be so cool to be a commentater on NBCsports

[@ladodgerschick]

shawn looks so tiny and young!

[@stanparc1]

Yes and her beam was a bit better and her floor and vault were a lot better.

[@stanparc1]

Me too. And Alicia too.

[@skategurl1102]

It really doesn't matter.Even if Alicia got a high score on vault it was not in the 16 point of range.She really needed prove herself at trials which she didn't.Maloney still out scored her.Please don't compare Moceanu b/c the rules/scores were very different at the time.Team USA really just needed a bars specialist b/c we're strong on every event except bars.Alicia did really nothing to add to the team.Plus Maloney can beat people like Mustafina & Komova-she is almost the guaranteed a title.

[@skategurl1102]

Well,I'm not one of those people that are blaming her.I have a lot of respect for Alicia.Perhaps she is capable of getting a 16 but we haven't seen it lately.Maroney puts up a 16 almost all the time.

[@stanparc1]

I feel like Beijing was horrible for her. Not only because of the falls in the team finals, but also because she didn't make the floor final, she was 4th for the beam final, but she couldn't compete because Shawn and Nastia qualified higher, and not last the vault finals. And in the CoP it says "If a gymnast does not land her feet first, the vault is awarded 0.0" And Cheng Fei's feet did NOT land first.

[@USANieke]

Shawn won that day

[@theamazingjaide]

@QuittersTry Because Nastia worked harder..... Thats what it always comes down too!

[@USANieke]

Yeah I know, but I like shawn more. But Nastia would have been good too

[@skategurl1102]

The problem is that Alicia can't get a score as high as Maroney.I haven't seen Alicia score in the 16 range.Maroney's vault gives the Americans a few extra points above other countries.Anyways,vault is really not a weakness for Team USA b/c the others also can score well.I do think Alicia should have been considered as an alternate.I'm surprised she isn't.

[@stanparc1]

I'm kinda dissappointed with this year's team. I miss the 2007/2008 team. I had big hopes for Shawn but then she retired. I never though Nastia would make it because she started training very late and it just couldn't happen. I didn't know how bad was Alicia after Worlds 2011 but when I saw her I though she was really good. And I though she should make the team. And when she didn't I was so dissapointed because she deserved a 2nd chance and not only in the team finals.

[@skategurl1102]

The Romanians have always been strong at vault as well as the Russians.Romania is not very good at bars though.I'm so excited for the olympics!Go USA!

[@Arajntos]

she's both lol :D

[@USANieke]

Ah ok I understand

[@USANieke]

I think Shawn deserved the title. Why should Nastia have won it?

[@sgeetha7350]

but mckayla got a silver after a fall....thats fine?

[@USANieke]

No i'm not :-D but I'd like to be I'm just saying what I think Oh and how do you find my English? I'm from Belgium you see X

[@skategurl1102]

Well we should spread the word-Nastia & Shawn should not to blame. AliciaAlso,they are good friends & the commentators just make up a lot of crap for drama.Alicia is just a victim b/c of corruption.All these women get along unlike these commentators that make them like feel like they are enemies which they are not.