The men's competition produced an overwhelming crowd favorite, Chainey Umphrey, whose scores on two events Saturday were too low for the fans' tastes and they let loose with resounding boos.
The trials took on a decidedly mainstream feel as gymnastics prepared for its once-every-four-years popularity surge.
It was difficult to guess how well either team will do in Atlanta because the nerve-wracking nature of the trials produced some ragged performances. Much energy was expended simply staying on the equipment. In the men's optionals there were 15 falls and eventual Olympian Jair Lynch plunged from the high bar twice. The women fell nine times during yesterday's optionals.
The women, however, are among the top four teams in the world and could contend for a team gold.
``I think this is the best team we've ever had,'' women's coach Bela Karolyi said. ``It is so exciting having so many talented gymnasts on the floor.''
The men finished ninth in the world championships last year and will contend for bronze only with an excellent performance.
Here's a rundown of the Olympic team members:
SHANNON MILLER: She didn't compete in the trials because of tendinitis in her left wrist, but expects to be healthy before taking the floor in Atlanta. Miller, a 19-year-old from Oklahoma, won a silver in the all-around in the '92 Games and many claim she is a better gymnast now because her routines have a higher degree of difficulty.
Miller won the national championships three weeks ago before her injury became unmanageable and is the '94 world champion.
DOMINIQUE MOCEANU: She burst onto the scene by winning the national championships as a 13-year-old in '95 and people jumped to call her the next Nadia because she shares Comaneci's Romanian heritage. She also trains with the coach that made champions out of Comaneci and Mary Lou Retton, Bela Karolyi, so the expectations are high.
