2016 - Will anyone be back?

[CenturionMAC]

Keep in mind, the main thing that kept the returners out this year was injuries and lack of time to train. Alicia was on the shelf and really didn't get mended as she was trying out for the team. Nastia and Shawn only really started to get serious about making a come back less then a year out. By that time, the core group of the team already had World Championship experience behind them, and they were completely gelling with each other. As long as none of the girls take an extensive amount of time off, they could realistically come back. Most of the other teams, including Romania and China, have girls on their team with previous Olympic experience.

As to WHO could come back, it's anyone's guess. I was initially going to write Aly off, since she has nothing to fight for, but if she's already talking about coming back, she may be training to become the leader of the team (a role I'm pretty sure Jordyn held). Douglas, I don't see coming back. Carly and Nastia didn't make it, and it would be easier to just cash in on the popularity she has - maybe become a commentator or something. She honestly has nothing else to prove. Maroney as a vault specialist is difficult - she will have to be the absolute best vaulter in the world for the next four years to make it back. That is certainly not an easy task. I think Weiber's done. Missing the AA finals are tough, but I think she's already hurting a bit. She may be the gymnast that tries, but unfortunately fails at the trials in four years time. Kyla has a lot of years in front of her, and I see no reason why she wouldn't be in the discussion once again.

 

[Moxiegrl83]

I think Weiber's done. Missing the AA finals are tough, but I think she's already hurting a bit. She may be the gymnast that tries, but unfortunately fails at the trials in four years time.



I don't know....She may not have competed all around, but she still did great during team finals and got a gold medal. I wouldn't discount any gymnast who made it to the Olympics, they've already done the (mostly) impossible. Who know's? Not competing AA in London might be the spark that keeps her going 'til Rio?

On a lil side note: Rio should be a really interesting Olympics. First one in South America right?

 

[lipama19]

Mckayla has already said that after the Olympics and the Tour of Champions she will be back in the gym. According to her facebook page, she is going to be training a new vault and is hoping to compete in Rio 2016.

 

[CenturionMAC]

McKayla wants that vault gold. Can't say I blame her.

 

[lipama19]

Jordyn has also said that she isn't yet sure if she will continue gymnastics after 2012, but that she really wants to and would love to stay in gymnastics and keep going.

Watch her interview at Gymnastike.org: Jordyn Wieber Reflects on her Olympic Experience | 2012 London Olympics | Gymnastike | Gymnastike

 

[lipama19]

This is another great article about it:DeWitt's Jordyn Wieber undecided on her U.S. gymnastics future | Olympic Sports | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

 

[BlairBob]

While Weiber is going to be a volunteer assistant, I'm sure she can still train if she wants. Thing is, she went pro, hoping to medal at the Olympics and probably secure a lot of endorsement deals and what not. She might get a few minor ones.

Geddart was saying she might have a stress fracture in her leg. Dunno. Hard to say if that's BS or a possibility.

Reisman is in a great position to get a lot of endorsement deals. I could see her also using her heritage to score some pretty nice ones. She's also very photogenic, moreso IMO than Weiber or the rest of the team.

Gabby maybe still could last till 2020. Hard to say. I don't believe she has announced she has gone pro, right? So she could still score a collegiate scholarship somewhere. It's known that she only has her mom and is probably from a modest income, if that. So it's hard to say if she would cash in on the endorsements or go for a scholarship. Depending on her mom's numbers, she might qualify for Financial Aid to carry the bulk of her tuition costs and offset those with an endorsement deal.

It might make sense for Kyla and McKayla to aim for 2016. Sort of depends if Jordyn, Aly, and Gabby stick around; otherwise they will still be in the same spots.

 

[txgymfan]

Its been announced that all hve gone pro except for Kyla. Kyla will only do a limited amount of tour dates and will remain NCAA elligible. I really think thats smart.

 

[lipama19]

Is it for sure that Jordyn will be attending UCLA when she graduates? If she decides to continue to do gymnastics, maybe she will defer for a year or two and continue to train at Gedderts?

 

[txgymfan]

It was released by UCLA Coach Val and I think Jordyn's mom might have said it in a blog. However, I don't think any of the team is sure about anything past the media dates next week and the tour this fall.

 

[J&A's mom]

What about the men? I think all but Horton will stick with it, although I did read that he doesn't think he is done.

 

[gym law mom]

What about the men? I think all but Horton will stick with it, although I did read that he doesn't think he is done.

I would be surprised if Jonathan stayed around. He's just had so many injuries and would be 30 for the Rio games. The rest of the guys are 19-21 so very doable for them if their bodies hold up and they still want to put in the hours.

For the girls, I can see most don't really know what they want to do and thats fine. Maybe after some time at home talking with their families will help them decide. I feel if McKayla wants to compete in 2016 she needs to be strong on at least 1 other event. She just can't count that in 4 years the US will be able to carry a vault specialist only.

 

[BlairBob]

Centurion, Aly Reisman was the Team Captain this year, not Jordyn.

I didn't know Douglas went pro. Are we sure Maroney has gone pro as well?

As for the guys, I would expect with them to stick with it.

30 isn't too old for MAG, but I wouldn't expect him to be around in 2020.

 

[GymSurvivor]

Gabby Douglas is pro for sure.

Not sure about Maroney.

 

[gymdog]

It's known that she only has her mom and is probably from a modest income, if that.

She doesn't only have her mom, although her parents aren't married. Her father is in the military and has been deployed, but he was at Olympic Trials. She went pro pretty recently, which was probably a good idea. A scholarship wouldn't necessarily be an 100% guarantee (ability wise of course...but need another couple years with no injuries) and she is the all around champ so it's probably going to pay off.

 

[fiercefive4ever]

Hi. This is my first post here. I'm glad I found this forum to express my thoughts about gymnastics. So, here's what I think about the Fierce Five and Rio:

Gabby - No. She'll have too many other things to do as AA Champ. I honestly thought Nastia and Carly were going to stick around longer but that didn't happen. Plus, Gabby has been training away from home so I'm thinking she may want to spend more time w/her family.

Aly - No. She has 3 Olympic medals, including 2 gold, and is already 18. She said she wants to continue but we'll have to wait and see.

Jordyn - Maybe. I would love to see Jordyn make the AA finals in Rio, but her enemies are time, injuries, and the depth of USA gymnastics.

McKayla - Maybe. I felt for her so much after the EF. I would love for McKayla to make it to Rio with a triple-twisting Yurchenko named after her. It would be wonderful for her to stand up both vaults in the EF and be happy with her performance (even if it doesn't get her a gold medal). McKayla endeared herself to me with her passion and personality. With her vibrant personality, I think McKayla would be the team captain if she makes it to Rio. She faces the same obstacles as Jordyn in getting there, especially as a specialist. Hopefully, her AA consistency could improve over the next 4 years, which would give her more of a shot.

Kyla - Maybe. I definitely want to see more of her. She hasn't even been to Worlds yet and has so little experience compared to the other 4. Her gymnastics is beautiful to watch.

It's a shame that the Olympic team is reduced to 5 now. If there were more spots, I would feel more confident about the odds of having returning Olympians. Sigh.

 

[GymSurvivor]

As of now Gabby and Aly have both confirmed training, shooting for Rio.
Who knows what will happen though. Four years is a long time.

 

[txgymfan]

After thinking about it more. I can see Aly and Kyla giving Rio a good try. Aly has ASAC as a role model of how to train as more of a partner with her coach and how to balance professional obligations with training and part time college. If her modeling and sponsorships are successful she could move out on her own and expirence some independance. She also seems less injured than the others.

Kyla is only a sophomore in HS, I would love to see her following Bridget's path train, win worlds (hopefully) and take a gap year before Rio and then do college gym.

I'm not as convinced that Jordyn, McKayla and Gabby will be willng to try and train for another 4 years. I would love to see McKayla on Dancing with the Stars.

 

[lipama19]

I think that if any of the girls want to shoot for Rio 2016, they have to make their decision soon. As this year proved, it's very hard to make a comeback a year before the Olympics after having 3 years off. There is way too much talent coming up for the girls to still have a chance if they take a year or so off. Also, as this was the case for many of the '08 olympians trying to make a comeback, taking time off will trigger growth spurts, which will make it difficult to perform at the same level they did before. In addition, as they take more time off they will not be in the same physical shape they were in before. So, I think that if any of these girl want to return for Rio, they must continue to train before their bodies start changing too much, and they can't take too much of a break (because it's not like the junior's coming up are taking any time off).

 

[Springerboy16]

I really really hope jordyn and myckayla will stick around (and TTY). I think Kyla will. I have absolutely no facts though.