BEIJING — Settling for a silver medal in the gymnastics team competition Wednesday was difficult for the favored U.S. women to take, but making history on Friday more than made up for it.
The U.S. women went 1-2 in the all-around with Nastia Liukin capturing the gold medal and Shawn Johnson the silver, a double no previous U.S. team achieved. The Soviet Union (1960) and Romania (2000) are the only other countries that have done it
“It was probably the biggest honor for us,” said Johnson, the current world champion. “We really came into all-around just wanting to show the world that we were stronger than what we showed and we are one of the top teams out there. To make history going 1-2 really showed the world that we are the strongest team out there.”
The U.S. women won the team competition at world championships last year and were favored to win it here, but they sustained a run of injuries that complicated their task. Former world champion Chellsie Memmel hurt her ankle a week before the Games and could only be used on uneven bars. Samantha Peszek twisted her ankle moments before the team competition began and could not compete.
China won the team gold medal.
“It was a tough journey,” Liukin said. “Going into team, with Chellsie getting hurt and Sam getting hurt, to still pull off a silver medal is pretty incredible, I think. The Chinese did an amazing job and they definitely deserved it. I can’t imagine the pressure they had, being at home.
“We got 1-2 in the all-around, and nothing can top that.”
John Meyer: 303-954-1616 or jmeyer@denverpost.com
