Grading the U.S. Men's Olympic Team
June 26, 2008
2005 U.S. National Champion and former World team member Todd Thornton was a part of the Inside Gymnastics team that brought you coverage online of the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Trials for gymnastics. Following the announcement of the men’s team, Thornton compiled his thoughts on the team, event by event. Now, Thornton grades the strength of each event and provides some insight on the team.
I remember attending a senior national team camp in January of this year. A coach with a ton of experience in the sport told all of the Olympic hopefuls that the strength of the Olympic team is measured by the talent of athletes left off of the team. Before the team was selected, I believed that we had several gymnasts who did everything to make an Olympic team, but wouldn’t go to China because of the strength and depth of Team USA. Now that the team has been named, this couldn’t be truer—especially given that there are past Olympians and world medalists who will remain stateside this summer.
I believe that the selection 
committee made the right decision with in naming this team. On floor, still rings and high bar we have a loaded team capable of leading the world. I also see potential for big scores on vault and parallel bars. Head coach Kevin Mazeika explained that the team will need to be consistent on pommel horse.
Floor Exercise: The Hamm twins are Olympic finals contenders. They have a ton of experience competing at the Olympics, this being their third Games. A nice addition to the Hamms will be Joey Hagerty, who won the Olympic Trials on that event. Joey is extremely talented on the floor, is very consistent and can handle any situation.
Strength of Floor: A+
Pommel Horse: We can garner a couple of great scores on horse with the Hamms. We need a consistent third score. The most likely candidate for the third spot in finals is Kevin Tan, though Joey can put up similar scores. Kevin gives you a solid routine, which the team needs in the three-up, three-count finals format. Pommel horse is without a doubt, however, the weak suit of this team.
Strength of Horse: C+
Still Rings: Kevin is unbelievable on rings, and has potential to bump the team score up a whole point. We have seen Jonathan Horton post high scores on this event throughout the selection process, and Paul gives you a consistent third score.
Strength on Rings: A
Vault: Vault is one of those events that we need to glide through. Several athletes on this team can post high scores. We don’t have the 17.0 start values that some of the other countries have, but we can put up three solid 16.6 starts. 
Strength of Vault: B
Parallel Bars: Justin Spring has a world-class parallel bars routine as well as experience winning medals on this event in competitions around the world. Paul, Joey, Jon and Kevin can all post high scores.
Strength of Parallel Bars: A
High Bar: This Olympic team is extremely strong on high bar, capable of rivaling any other country. Paul, Morgan, Joey and Justin have all posted mid- to high-15.0 scores. Some changes in the way that judges look at pirouetting skills have impacted the range of scores we see on this event. A mid-15 is a very good score internationally, and we could earn a few of them.
Strength of Horizontal Bar: A+
Overall, I believe this will be the strongest team the United States has put out on a competition floor in years. We have a great combination of explosive gymnastics, unique style, consistency, strength and heart. Only time will tell just how good this team is. I have full confidence that Team USA will go head-to-head with China and Japan in what will undoubtedly be an exciting Olympic Games.
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Morgan Hamm is out after re-injuring his ankle in China.
