US announces women's gymnastics squad

(BEIJING, July 21) -- USA Gymnastics announced on July 19 the women's gymnastics squad for Beijing 2008. The squad consists of Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Chellsie Memmel, Alicia Sacramone, Samantha Peszek and Bridget Sloan. Squad selection was based on both the US Olympic trials that were held in June and an intra-squad competition that was held in Texas on July 18.

Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin qualified after finishing first and second at the Olympic trials. The other four women in the squad were chosen from the group of 12 that competed at the inter-squad competition.

Shayla Worley, who was a member of last year's gold-medal-winning team at the world championships, was not available for selection after breaking her right leg while warming up for the intra-squad competition.

Chellsie Memmel gave selectors a scare when she landed awkwardly during her floor routine and experienced neck soreness. However, Memmel was selected in the Olympic squad after being cleared of serious injury.

The United States is one of the favorites for team gold at Beijing 2008.

The US women's gymnastics squad for Beijing 2008:

Shawn Johnson: Took the world by storm in her first year (2007) after wining the all-around at the American Cup, Pan-American Games, US National Championships and World Championships. She is the favorite to win the all-around gold medal at Beijing 2008. Johnson is 16 years old.

Nastia Liukin: Gymnastics is in her blood because her father, Valeri was on the USSR team that won gold in 1988. Liukin is 18 years old. She has won four national all-around titles.

Chellsie Memmel: The 2005 world all-around champion missed Athens 2004 because of a foot injury. Memmel is 20 years old.

Alicia Sacramone: Was not selected for Athens 2004. Sacramone is a vault and floor routine specialist. The 20-year-old no longer trains on bars.

Samantha Peszek: The 16-year-old has been a solid performer at national level. Peszek's coach is Peter Zhao, who is originally from Tianjin, China.

Bridget Sloan: The 16-year-old has already tasted success in Beijing, winning a silver medal in the floor exercise and a bronze medal in the all-around at the 2007 Good Luck Beijing International Tournament.