LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The U.S. women’s gymnastics team might want to bring earplugs to the London Olympics.
It’s going to need them.
The world champions got the same qualifying session as host Britain when the Olympic draw was done Friday, ensuring the Americans will be competing in front of a loud and boisterous crowd. Canada and France are also in the session, the third of five on July 29. Russia, considered the Americans’ biggest challenge for gold after finishing second at last year’s worlds, is in the fourth session along with defending Olympic champion China.
The U.S. men drew the second of three qualifying sessions on July 28 but must start on pommel horse, their weakest event.
Results from qualifying determine which eight countries advance to the team finals, as well as the fields for the all-around and event finals. There are 24 gymnasts in the all-around, and eight in each event final.
