Jordyn Wieber and Aly Raisman: Their Chances for Gold in Olympic Floor Exercise

The Romanians may have some of the best gymnasts in the world on the floor exercise but I don’t think it’s going to be enough to beat out Team USA, who has been on a hot streak.

After what I call "The Great Romanian Floor Debacle" during the team finals, it is going to be interesting to see how the Romanians rebound. Sandra Izbasa and Catalina Ponor both have spots in the finals.

Aly Raisman is the favorite to win the floor finals. She has a high-difficulty routine which she has consistently hit. Jordyn Wieber can also be a top contender for gold, as this is her only opportunity to win an individual medal.

Here’s a breakdown of Team USA’s chances at winning gold, starting with a list of the eight individual qualifiers. The first score is from qualifications and the second is from the team finals.

1. Alexandra Raisman, USA, 15.325, 15.300
2. Sandra Raluca Izbasa, Romania, 15.066, 15.200
3. Vanessa Ferrari, Italy, 14.900, 13.566
4. Ksenia Afanasyeva, Russia, 14.833, 14.333
5. Lauren Mitchell, Australia, 14.833, N/A
6. Jordyn Wieber, USA, 14.666, 15.000
7. Catalina Ponor, Romania, 14.600, 14.800
8. Aliya Mustafina, Russia, 14.333, 14.800

Aly Raisman, The Favorite

Raisman has shown strength and consistency in London, especially on the floor. Raisman typically has the highest difficulty score, around a 6.5.

Her routine is focused on intense acrobatics and skills rather than artistry. During team finals she took out an added twist in her opening pass because many gymnasts have had issues stepping out of bound.

If she adds that pass again and hits her routine, it will be difficult for anyone to pass her.

Jordyn Wieber, Ready for Revenge

It’s pretty ironic how the only individual event final Wieber qualified for is Raisman’s best event. Wouldn’t it play out like the perfect story if Wieber beat out Raisman in floor after Raisman beat Wieber in the all-around?

Wieber is rested from not competing in the individual all-around and has been able to devote all of her energy to floor. 

Wieber’s score was low in qualifying because she stepped out of bounds. She performed the best routine I’ve ever seen from her during the team finals, which still probably wasn’t good enough for a gold medal.

Wieber just doesn’t have enough difficulty and skills in her routine. She might add some for the finals, though, and I have no doubt that the adrenaline will fuel her to nail the routine.

Wieber will be there to pick up the pieces if any other gymnast falters.

Tuesday’s floor finals are the last artistic gymnastics event of this Olympics, so be prepared for the gymnastics portion to end with a bang.