WAG Aly 2020?! How cool! Can she do it?

[Mrs. Puma]

I just saw this. Good for her! Do people wiser than I think she has a shot? We're so deep and they're going down to 4. I didn't know about the event specialist option though. What do people think about that? http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/09/07/aly-raisman-tokyo-2020-is-the-goal/

 

[Flyaway]

I think it's awesome she still has the fire in her! Excited to see where it takes her.

 

[Gymmommy71]

Guess that's one less 2020 spot for a current Olympic hopeful :/. I hope Ashton is able to get one of those specialist spots next time though.

 

[gasrgoose]

I wouldn't bet against her. I'm sure there are some girls who have their sights set on 2020 who wish she'd retire. As she said, she was better in 2016 than 2012, so why not. Assuming Simone and Laurie are also better in 4 years, that leaves 1 spot for an enormous pool of extremely talented gymnasts.

 

[nastia1]

I am happy she is coming back

 

[bogwoppit]

Guess that's one less 2020 spot for a current Olympic hopeful :/. I hope Ashton is able to get one of those specialist spots next time though.

I honestly doubt Ashton will be around in a year, let alone 4 years.

I am good with the whole Olympic team retiring apart from Laurie. Maybe Aly can come back strong in 2020, but would I love that? Not so much.

 

[GymDad9.9]

I honestly doubt Ashton will be around in a year, let alone 4 years.

I am good with the whole Olympic team retiring apart from Laurie. Maybe Aly can come back strong in 2020, but would I love that? Not so much.

If Mihai Brestyan takes over the Olympic squad I'm sure Aly will have a friend in her corner.

 

[gasrgoose]

If Mihai Brestyan takes over the Olympic squad I'm sure Aly will have a friend in her corner.

I'm curious when they will announce who is taking over. I've always assumed it would be Rhonda Faehn.

 

[Seeker]

The chances of Mihai being named to that role are likely very low...unless Valeri gets hit by a meteor or something.

 

[auswi]

I just saw this. Good for her! Do people wiser than I think she has a shot? We're so deep and they're going down to 4. I didn't know about the event specialist option though. What do people think about that? http://olympics.nbcsports.com/2016/09/07/aly-raisman-tokyo-2020-is-the-goal/

Love the idea that for our older gymies that they have more longevity.

 

[bogwoppit]

If Mihai Brestyan takes over the Olympic squad I'm sure Aly will have a friend in her corner.

Love Mihai, but do not see him in that role.

 

[Mrs. Puma]

I am good with the whole Olympic team retiring apart from Laurie. Maybe Aly can come back strong in 2020, but would I love that? Not so much.

Totally curious why? To give others a chance? Which makes sense. I love Aly, but I know there are so many amazing girls working hard right now that I'd love to see too. I guess it's a good problem to have, right?!

 

[vagymmomma]

I am confused by why this would not be desirable (assuming she EARNS the spot). Shouldn't it be the best athletes who compete? I sincerely believe that competition makes all the athletes better. Aly may really want the AA gold, so I say good for her. Kind of sad that Simone doesn't seem committed to sticking with it. I know there are a lot of sacrifices that come with it, but I don't think her place in history as GOAT is sealed until she does it again. I will definitely miss her if she's done.

Four years is a long time in gymnastics either way ...

 

[notthatmom]

The chances of Mihai being named to that role are likely very low...unless Valeri gets hit by a meteor or something.

Yeah, I'd bet my life savings, and both my children on it being Valeri....it would be shocking if it's anyone else.

(I wouldn't actually bet my kids, but y'all know what I mean)

Also, life savings? My kid is a gymnast....I don't have savings

 

[bogwoppit]

Totally curious why? To give others a chance? Which makes sense. I love Aly, but I know there are so many amazing girls working hard right now that I'd love to see too. I guess it's a good problem to have, right?!

Whilst I think Aly is a lovely young woman, and a great role model, I do not love watching her gymnastics. I guess it all comes down to style really. There are lots of gymnasts I would rather watch.

I would have much preferred watching Laurie in the floor finals than Aly, but difficulty wins in WAG despite artisitic being the name of the game.

Simone I feel has no reason to stay, upgrades will not benefit her at all as she is already way out ahead.

The talent pool is so deep in the US, it is tough when other countries can barely put one team together. I think we have all come to realise that at worlds and O's we do not see "the best gymnasts in the world' due to the various rules to support smaller countries. I would prefer that the AA finals were simply the top 48AA girls duking it out. Then keeping EF's for the 2 per country rule.

 

[Gymmommy71]

I love older gymnasts making it, but I'd rather see a new older gymnast arise as opposed to the same older gymnast getting all the medals for 3 Olympics in a row. Our country is so deep (winning the team by a crazy margin), that I think we can spread the wealth some even if it costs us a few tenths.

I guess Simone could try and repeat her AA win and maybe get the beam gold that eluded her, but is the risk/reward really worth it? I guess Gabby may be able to tell her about her experience w/ that process and whether or not she has any regrets. Plus Simone would need to adjust to a new coach as well, or go to FL, since her long time coach has relocated.

It will be interesting to see what happens w/ Laurie. Wonder if she will take time off or keep training like Kyla did.

 

[Terry]

Whilst I think Aly is a lovely young woman, and a great role model, I do not love watching her gymnastics. I guess it all comes down to style really. There are lots of gymnasts I would rather watch.

.

I love Aly and her gymnastics. But I just do not see her making a 2d comeback. 3 Olympics? At the age of 26? On the other hand I did not think she would have a successful comeback this Quad. So who knows.

 

[Terry]

Yeah, I'd bet my life savings, and both my children on it being Valeri....it would be shocking if it's anyone else.

Every reliable rumor I have heard says its Valeri.

 

[notthatmom]

Every reliable rumor I have heard says its Valeri.

I also have an extremely reliable source who has pretty much confirmed it as well

 

[Gymmommy71]

I like the style of WOGA's gymnasts a lot, so I'm actually hoping its Valeri for that reason. They always seem to have beautiful technique and artistry.