In the end, it was as predicted : Simone and the others, with Simone's teammate, Alexandra Raisman, providing the back up. I do not need to point out that, by definition, the Americans are scoring significantly higher marks than the rest of the field. Congratulations to them!
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Aliya Mustafina finished in third place. The 2012 bronze medalist led the competition after vault and uneven bars, but had a very nervous outing on beam that might have taken a less experienced gymnast out of the medals. A bravura performance on floor brought Aliya back though to confirm her third place all around. From her senior debut in 2010 to today, Mustafina has continuously set high standards of grace. It is the first time since 2000 that a gymnast (Amanar) has medalled in the all around at two consecutive Olympics, and if Aliya can medal on Saturday's uneven bars final, she will once again be Russia's biggest medal winner of the women's gymnastics.
Russia's second gymnast, Seda Tutkhalyan, was having a good competition until she fell out of her double pike dismount landing on beam. This was enough to scramble her composure on floor. Her mark there of 10.966, the lowest of the whole final, sent her plummeting down the rankings.
It was a pity, as she had looked determined and engaged right up to the moment of her beam exit. At the present moment, Seda is a much better team than individual gymnast. There is no shame in making mistakes and a determined gymnast like her will learn from this, but it is a hard lesson to have to learn at your first all around final in the Olympics. As master coach Rotstorotsky said, it is the coach's job to fashion armour plating for a young gymnast. The coaches will have to take responsibility, and build her back up again, as Russia's future fortunes rest disproportionately on her shoulders.
I'm pleased for Aliya that she kept the bronze medal, confirming that she has maintained herself in the world's top three all around since 2010. But that 'pleased' is somewhat moderated by a feeling of sadness. What if Alexandrov had been able to stay? What if she had never suffered those injuries? What will happen now that Mustafina has finished her reign of Russia; who will carry the burden of captaining the team? And what will our big competitions be like without her elegance, humour and style? Who will take up her mantle? There is a vacuum at the very highest level of the sport in Russia and it is hard to see who will provide the momentum for the team in future ...
I wouldn't mind seeing Aliya as Russian team coach in coming years - she would be fantastic on the floor with the gymnasts, supporting, encouraging and cajoling them to greater efforts. But before that, I really think she needs, deserves that break she keeps speaking about.
Tears, of both joy and disappointment, flowed profusely today. Some screen caps for you below.
