From Wieber's website: "Jordyn will be competing in the 2009 American Cup competition which will be held on February 20th-21st in Chicago, IL. Jordyn will be joining 2008 US Olympian, Bridget Sloan. The United States will be naming two additional athletes to their squad and many international athletes are also expected to participate. The finals portion of the competition will be broadcasted LIVE by NBC Sports on February 21st at 3:00 CT. For ticket information and more please visit USA Gymnastics."
Jordyn Wieber (photo: Wieber's website)
We're kind of curious now as to who the other two American competitors will be. Considering the number of talented fresh seniors who just missed out on the Olympics because of injuries or uncooperative birth dates, USAG's inviting a junior who is not even about to turn senior is odd to say the least, although we do obviously look forward to seeing Wieber on the big stage.
I think both her coach and USAG is nuts. She won't even be senior for 2 years. Give some other seniors who are actually seniors a chance to compete!
ReplyDeleteCould you do a post showing all the other gymnasts who have expressed an interest in going? I know Anamaria Tamirjan has said she would like to compete...
ReplyDeleteI'm not liking this. Seems to me that juniors should wait to compete at the AmCup until they get til senior status. I'd like to see Sloan, Lorthrop, Shaprio and Larson at the Cup.
ReplyDeleteI don't get why they are giving the AmCup to her either.. she won't be senior for another 2 yrs, what's the rush to put her in the spotlight now? So many other Senior USA girls could use this event themselves... Crazy!
ReplyDeleteActually there have been juniors competing in the American
ReplyDeleteCup before. For example Bianca Flohr competed in 2006 while a junior. I would like to see Shapiro and was expecting it actually.
The tyson american cup is an invitation only competition. Whoever goes to tyson cup is not that big of a deal. What matters is who gets to go to the 2012 olympics.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Jordyn is from Michigan, Bridget from Indiana- all within a distance for their clubmates & fans to drive to Chicago! I think attendance at American Cup has been down the past few years, so I think adding fairly "local" girl Jordyn was part of the plan to raise attendance.
ReplyDeleteThe American cup is for second rated gymnasts who are almost first rated. That's why you won't be seeing Liukin, Johnson, or Izbasa there.
ReplyDeleteAs for having Jordyn in the lineup to help sell tickets, it is very likely true.
Anonymous 4, we wouldn't be surprised if the home crowd appeal did have something to do with it. Having a few semi-local gymnasts compete would definitely boost ticket sales. And Jordan IS a very promising gymnast, there's no doubt about that. Still, we can't helping being a little surprised!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea. She is the junior national champion. She should enjoy the experience and not have to listen or read from the skeptics and critics. I cant wait to see her and Sloan and whoever else they choose compete in hicago.
ReplyDelete