The highly anticipated CoverGirl Classic will take place this weekend in Chicago, Illinois. In the senior competition, all eyes will be on the return of 2008 Olympic team members Shawn Johnson and Chellsie Memmel.
Shawn Johnson isn’t expected to medal as she is using this event to test the waters, to get back out there and return to the competition arena for the first time since Beijing in 2008. We should hope to see her in full form and competing All Around at the Visa Championships in August. In Illinois, she will compete two or three events.I would call Johnson’s return one of the most anticipated of all time in the gymnastics world. Those at the competition should expect the arena to explode with excitement when Johnson sets foot on the podium for the first time.
Chellsie Memmel however, who hasn’t competed since the 2009 Visa Championships where she competed just one event, is hoping to compete in the AA. Memell also hasn’t attended any training camps since her comeback, in fact if she does compete AA this will be her first AA performance since the 2008 Olympic Trials.
With Alicia Sacramone also competing, this will be a reunion for most of the Beijing 2008 team. Rumor has it that Sacramone will unveil a new floor routine, we’ve not seen her since Worlds in Rotterdam so it will be interesting to see what she can pull out of the bag. ASac is a former World Floor champion so we should expect to see something special from her, it will be the first time that we see a floor routine from her since Beijing.
New Seniors Gabrielle Douglas and McKayla Maroney will debut in their first Senior competition. Both look to be firm certain’s for the 2011 Worlds Team, being strong AA’s. Minds will be wondering whether Jordyn Wieber will continue on strong from the American Cup in March, and will she give Rebecca Bross a run for her money. I fully expect Douglas, Wieber or Aly Raisman to take the AA title. All are strong contenders.
With all of these strong senior gymnasts and the likes of Anna Li, and Casey Jo Magee, it looks like it’ll be a tough job for the USA when choosing their team for Worlds and also their 5 woman team for London 2012.
Schedule:
Friday July 22nd 1pm – US Challenge
Saturday July 23rd 11:30am – Junior Women’s Competition
Saturday July 23rd 7:00pm – Senior Women’s Competition
Sunday July 24th 10am – US Challenge
Coverage
Universal Sports will broadcast live from 8 – 10pm eastern time. There will also be a free live web link available which will be posted on the USA Gymnastics website nearer the time. Universal Sports will show the Senior International competition with commentary from former gymnasts Amanda Borden and Tim Dagget. Many watched the live stream last year from outside America, so hopefully it will be as easily accessible to all this year. If anyone can provide links for all the watch online, then please post in the comments below or on the or page.
Stayed tuned to the following who should provide excellent coverage:
Gymnastics Examiner | |
USA Gymnastics | | |
Gymnastike | |
Aunt Joyce |
Gymnastike have just posted what they will feature on the website during the competition:
- Friday Podium Training Videos. We’ll give you an inside look at the training day.
- Friday pre-competition interviews. Hear from your favorite gymnasts and meet the rising stars before they take to the competition floor
- LIVE Updates from the competition. Up-to-the minute competition quick hits and meet results
- Post-competition video interviews. Hear your favorite gymnasts reactions to their competition and get a glimpse of the personalities of the stars of the 2011 CoverGirl Classic
- Post-competition analysis and a look forward to the Visa Championships in August
Full Twist will be sure to provide coverage where possible, but the fact that we are on a different time zone won’t help! Stay tuned to Full Twist for results. Make sure to join Full Twist on , or use the subscribe button on the right hand side of the homepage to have blog posts delivered straight to your inbox.
good look everybody xD