Olympics Gymnastics 2012: Why the Floor Exercise Field Is Wide Open

Every time gymnastics rolls around in the Olympics, most people can say for sure who the top teams will be and who the top all-around gymnasts will be.

However, individual events (for the most part) are a different animal.

And, in this Olympics, I think the floor exercise is more wide open than any of the other events.

The vaulting field looks pretty thin with McKayla Maroney and Romania's Sandra Izbasa, the two top dogs in the event.

The uneven bars are not the strongest event for the U.S., with Gabrielle Douglas being the only real threat in the event for the Americans. As far as the rest of the field, I've been impressed with pre-Olympic routines by Russia's Viktoria Komova and Great Britain's Beth Tweddle, and think it will be a battle between those two for the gold medal.

The balance beam comes down to three gymnasts (in my opinion), as China's Sui Lu is the favorite, while Romania's Larisa Iordache and Catalina Ponor will also contend for the gold. Outside of that, I don't see anyone having a chance at the gold, although weirder things have happened in the Olympics.

In the floor exercise, however, there's been a recent change in the thinking of gymnastics judges, whether you believe it or not.

Judges today aren't as wowed by choreography as they are to tough tumbling passes.

In my opinion, the women's floor is slowly creeping towards the way the men do it, although choreography will still remain a part of it mainly because of tradition.

So, gymnasts like Jordyn Wieber, Iordache, Aly Raisman and Douglas are at a definite advantage here.

Douglas might be the one with the most to gain because of her charm and captivating presence.

From a story written by the Associated Press national writer Nancy Armour:

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"Douglas has the potential to be a show-stopper, with a bright smile and captivating presence that made her floor routine look like as good a fit for Broadway as the Garden."

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Wiber could still be considered the favorite heading into the event, as she's sticking her landings and being cleaner than most other gymnasts throughout her routine.

Outside of those two, Iordache and Raisman can definitely slip in there for gold as well as Australia's Lauren Mitchell, Lu and Ponor, among others.

There will obviously be more that are in the running, as nearly flawless routines are going to be the key to getting on the podium.

But, the floor is where it's at if you want to see the event where there will be the most competition.