2012 Women's Gymnastic Olympic Team Will Get Tough Fight from 3 Other Teams

Even though Team USA handily finished in first in the qualifiers for the team finals, the Americans have plenty of room to worry if they want to win their first gold since 1996.

As shown during the men’s team finals Monday, the qualifiers merely serve as a way to get into the team finals.

USA needs to watch out for Russia, China and Romania, because those teams are going to put up a tough fight.

The Americans have been called unbeatable, but I think that is a bit of a bold assumption.

"We knew the Americans were going to be up there," said Rebecca Tunney of Britain in an interview with The News Tribune. "They're going to be unbeatable."

One also has to worry about how the Americans are going to perform after so much drama in the qualifier. Will Jordyn Wieber be able to move on from the fact that she didn’t make the all-around finals? This is her best shot at gold now. Will Gabby Douglas and Aly Raisman be distracted with all the awkward emotions running around?

"I think that's a test of character," USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny said in an interview with The News Tribune. "I think Jordyn's got a lot of character ... I think you'll see the best of Jordyn Wieber (in the finals)."

The Russians came closest to Team USA in qualifiers. Victoria Komova posted the highest all-around score of the day (60.632). Former world champion Aliya Mustafina placed fifth, and although she has been struggling with injury, she can do better than that.

If the Russians perform just a little better and Team USA doesn’t perform as well, then the 1.4-point gap between the US and Russia will easily vanish.

Next came China. who was behind Team USA by more than five points in the team qualifiers, but that means nothing. Not only were the Chinese having a bad day, but the Americans were having the greatest day ever.

China hasn’t had the best track record lately and isn’t even considered a top medal contender, but there’s a high possibility they were holding back in prelims and will podium.

I do not think Romania should be overlooked, either. Some are viewing them as a non-factor after they didn’t have the greatest performance during preliminaries—the Romanians placed fourth overall.

Larissa Iordache, who has been struggling with injuries, placed ninth in the all-around competition. I know Iordache isn’t feeling her greatest but I think she can pull it together for the team finals.

I also know Catalina Ponor has the ability to perform better on floor and beam. I think that Romania is holding some of their skills back so they can surprise everyone and dominate in the team finals.

Another team that can’t be underestimated is Great Britain, who made history by making the team finals. Thanks to the strength of Beth Tweddle and the support of the home crowd, anything is possible for them.

No one has the right to confidently say the Americans are going to win the gold. With these top contenders looking for revenge after the preliminaries, it is going to be a tough battle to the final rotation.