2012 Olympics: Getting to Know the USA Women's Gymnastics Team

A heart-breaking silver-medal team performance had little effect on the insane popularity of the 2008 women's gymnastics team.

The faces of the 2008 squad that lost a controversial team gold to China are now gone, and this new group will have big shoes to fill.

Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson and Alicia Sacramone became media darlings and cleaned up in the individual medals, winning seven out of 15 possible events in Beijing.

This year's team is full of amazing potential, and they were even featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.

Here is a look at the 2012 USA women's gymnastics team.

Alexandra Raisman

Age: 18

Hometown: Needham, MA

Career Accolades:

• 2010 World Championships gold medalist
• 2010 World Championships floor exercise bronze medalist 
• 2011 CoverGirl Classic all-around champion
• 2011 World Championships gold medalist
• 2012 U.S. balance beam and floor exercise champion

As team captain and elder statesman, Aly Raisman will be counted on to lead Team USA to a gold medal. Raisman will compete in the all-around, floor and balance beam events.

Jordyn Wieber

Age: 17

Hometown: DeWitt, MI

Career Accolades:

• 2011 World Championships team gold medalist
• 2011 World Championships all-around gold medalist
• American Cup all-around champion in 2009, 2011 and 2012

Jordyn Wieber is one of the best gymnasts in the entire world, and she will be counted on heavily in three major events and the all-around competition. Her versatility and skills are a major reason why expectations are so high for this year's team.

McKayla Maroney

Age: 16

Hometown: Long Beach, CA

Career Accolades:

• 2011 World Championships team gold medalist
• 2011 World Championships vault gold medalist

She might be the best vaulter in the world, and McKayla Maroney is on this squad to bring home a gold medal in her best event.

Gabby Douglas

Age: 16

Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA

Career Accolades:

• 2011 World Championships Team gold medalist
• 2012 U.S. uneven bars champion
• 2012 U.S. all-around silver medalist

Gabby Douglas is a budding star, and her talent should help her medal in both the all-around competition and uneven bars. Douglas even beat fellow teammate Jordyn Wieber at the Olympic trials last month.

Kyla Ross

Age: 15

Hometown: Honolulu, HI

Career Accolades:

• 2012 U.S. uneven bars silver medalist

Kyla Ross is the youngest member of the team, and her skills are remarkable. The Hawaii-born gymnast will be competing in the uneven bars and balance beam.

Alternates: Elizabeth Price, Sarah Finnegan and Anni Li

The three alternates for this year's team are Anna Li,  Elizabeth Price and Sarah Finnegan.

With an ailing toe injury to Mckayla Maroney, one of these girls might see some action. Maroney will likely tough it out, but it's always good to have some help on deck.

Li also left training camp yesterday after a fall from the uneven bars. She has been diagnosed with a sprained ligament in her neck, so Li will have to cheer her teammates on from the sidelines during the coming weeks.