10 Olympic Storylines to Follow: Part 2
August 5, 2008
08.08.08
Can you believe it? After four years of counting down to Beijing, the Games are almost here! Get your “boss button” ready on your computer to pop up that spreadsheet when you need to divert from the online coverage on InsideGymnastics.com, stock up on popcorn for the primetime coverage on NBC, and start exercising those fingers for all the posts you’re planning for the message boards and blogs during the weeks that are the 2008 Olympic Games!
As you count down these final days, here’s a look at some of the Beijing Basics as well as our picks for some of the top storylines to follow during what are sure to be some of the most memorable gymnastics moments in the history of the sport (read on to find out just why that is).
6. Defending Duties – The Romanian women have a storied history in the sport. But, since their upset victory of the U.S. at the Athens Games, legendary coaches Octavian Belu and Mariana Bitang retired, and the Romanian program has never been the same. The new generation just doesn’t seem to pack the same punch as previous teams, and the lack of a leader shows. Their often cookie-cutter gymnastics and form problems don’t play well under the new Code of Points. It will be interesting to see where the defending champions end up in 2008.
