London Olympics Day 2 Recap: Wieber Falters, Vollmer Sets World Record
Jordyn Wieber, the heavy favorite to win gold in women's gymnastics, was brought to tears on Sunday after failing to qualify for the all-around finals.
The reigning world champion had only lost two all-around competitions since 2008, but finished behind teammates Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas after struggling on the vault and floor exercise -- only two competitors per country can qualify for the finals.
She tumbled out of bounds during the floor exercise, landing her a large deduction, and giving a chance for her teammate and best friend Raisman to qualify for the spot.
Raisman, while obviously excited about qualifying for the final, was understandably concerned for her friend, who was sobbing after realizing she wouldn't get a chance to compete for a gold medal.
"I was really surprised, and I feel awful because she wanted it so bad,"Raisman told reporters. "But she should still feel proud because she's an Olympian. We have to stay calm and focused on team finals."
Wieber will still get a chance to compete for the United States in the team finals. After the preliminary round, the Americans had an 11-point lead on second place Britain.
Vollmer Sets World Record to Win Gold
Dana Vollmer achieved the redemption she so desperately wanted when she won gold at a world record time in the 100-meter butterfly on Sunday. She was at one time considered a phenom after qualifying for the 2004 Athen Games as a 16-year-old, only to not qualify for the 2008 Beijing Games.
Some questioned whether she could ever regain her form, but she proved that and more when she set a world record time of 55.98 seconds - besting Sarah Sjostrom's 56.06 record set in 2009. It is important to note she set the record in the post-rubberized suit era, which attributed to 43 record records at the 2009 world championships, including Sjostrom's, and were subsequently banned.
Most amazingly, she won gold despite her swimming cap falling off mid-way through the race.
"I was just thinking about all the work so many people around me have put in, and the belief that everyone had in me," Vollmer told reporters after the race. "There have been multiple moments in my career where I didn't know if I was going to be able to keep going."
Phelps Rebounds, But Lochte Struggles in 4 x 100 Relay
Michael Phelps showed that he still has a lot left in the tank on Sunday, but a disappointing closer performance by Ryan Lochte landed the Americans the silver medal in the 4x100 freestyle relay.
Lochte's 47.74 100-meter split was no match for a speedy 46.74 performance by France's Yannick Agnel, which allowed the French national squad to avenge their devastating loss in the 2008 Olympics to the Americans.
Lochte had a nice head start after three turns, especially due to Phelphs' quick 47.15 split, but was unable to hold off Agnel's strong push -- almost an exact role reversal from 2008 when Jason Lezak famously overcame a large deficit to edge France's Alain Bernard at the wall.
U.S. Cruises Past France in Basketball
The U.S. men's basketball team easily defeated France, 98-71, in the opening round of qualification play.
Kevin Durant led the way with 22 points, Kevin Love added 14 points, while Carmelo Anthony and Tyson Chandler added nine rebounds each in the easy win over Tony Parker's squad. Parker, recovering from an eye injury suffered from a club fight, had only 10 points in the loss.
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