Sports

Heartbreak for next Mary Lou

LONDON — We have our first genuine American shocker.

Forget Michael Phelps, who finished out of the money in Saturday’s 400-meter individual medley swim race; Phelps may have finished a distant fourth, but at least he did qualify for the finals of the race, close call or no.

What happened yesterday on the floor of the North Greenwich Arena was something else again: Jordyn Wieber, magazine cover girl and odds-on favorite to be the breakout American Rigby/Retton/Strug star of these Games, failed to qualify for the individual all-around championship, a stunning blow to the U.S. gymnastic team.

While the team itself comfortably qualified in the No. 1 position for the team finals tomorrow night, Wieber was passed by teammate Aly Raisman and was third among the U.S. gymnasts (Gabby Douglas was first). Wieber was fourth overall, but only two gymnasts from each country earn a spot in the individual all-around.

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A visibly distraught Wieber sobbed as she walked through the media mixed zone and left the arena without speaking to reporters. Later, the London Games’ internal news service released this quote attributed to her: “It is a bit of a disappointment. It has always been a dream of mine to compete in the all-around final of the Olympics.”

Later still, Wieber Tweeted: “Thank you all for your love and support. I am so proud of our team today and I can’t wait for team finals!”

The Americans are still favored to win the team event, but Wieber’s disappointment could be hurtful if it negatively impacts her performance tomorrow night. The 17-year old struggled on vault, stepping slightly out of bounds, and had issues with the uneven bars, balance beam and floor exercise.

The last problem opened the door for Raisman, because that discipline is Raisman’s specialty. She needed less than 15 points to surpass Wieber and got that easily. Wieber has lost only two all-arounds since 2008, and seemed a lock to medal if not reach gold. Now she won’t even get the opportunity to do that.

Russia’s Victoria Komova was the top overall qualifier.