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The Roc Stuns Team USA at Tokyo Olympics 2020 as They Lead a Team Event for the First Time Since 2010
Simone Biles and Team USA had a rough start to their Olympics. On day two of the Tokyo Olympics 2020, Team USA got off to a rocky start in the qualification round. They failed to top the leaderboards after the first two rotations of qualifying.
This marks the first time Team USA has not failed to post the highest score of the day in a World Championship or Olympic games since 2010. The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) took a surprising lead over the Americans.
A shaky start by Team USA
Team USA got off to a less than optimal start as Grace McCallum went out of bounds on her opening tumbling pass. She earned a 13.466, followed by Sunisa lee with an even lower 13.433.
Biles scored the highest for the team with a 14.133. Even this performance from the Olympic gold medallist was not up to her usual standards. She flew off the floor while performing her third tumbling pass.
The shaky performances continued into the vault as Sunisa Lee landed short on her first attempt. Biles followed Lee and stepped outside the lines, costing her a .300 neutral deduction.
Jordan Chiles makes a kiss face towards Simone Biles as they pose for a photo after being named to the Olympic team after the final day of women’s competition in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics in St. Louis, Missouri, U.S., June 27, 2021. Picture taken June 27, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
Simone Biles performed much better on her second vault to score an average of 15.166 and secured a place in the vault final.
Simone Biles competes on the floor at the U.S. Women’s Olympic Gymnastics trials in St Louis, Missouri, U.S. June 25, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsey Wasson
Team USA scored nearly seven-tenths less than the ROC on the uneven bars during their third rotation. Sunisa Lee was spectacular for Team USA on the uneven bars with a 15.200.
Going into the final rotation, team USA had to average more than 14.133 to pass ROC. In the final routine for Team USA, Simone Biles had a near-perfect routine up until her dismount. She overcooked the dismount and landed awkwardly.
Standings after the first day of qualification at Tokyo Olympics 2020
The Russian Olympic Committee led after the first day of qualification. The 2019 world all-around Bronze medallist Angelina Melnikova led the ROC as they earned 171.629. Team USA, led by Simone Biles, came second with 170.562.
China came third with a score of 166.863. In the all-around standings, despite her errors, Simone Biles leads with 57.731 points. Her teammate Sunisa Lee came in second with 57.166 followed by Melnikova at third with 57.132.
Olympic favorites, Team USA, are off to a rocky start on day one during qualification. Will they be able to make a comeback and go back to their dominant ways?
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