IT WAS A GAUGE for some, a foothold for others, entertainment for all.
Last night, at the first of two rounds of women's Olympic team trials, a few injured gymnasts exhibited how close - or how far - they are from being viable members of the 2008 team.
Others began the process of impressing Martha Karolyi and the rest of the selection committee, which, at a camp that ends July 20, will determine which six gymnasts (and two alternates) will make the final cut.
Two - Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin - delighted the 12,490 watching at the Wachovia Center and reaffirmed that the United States will have a pair of aces in Beijing come August.
Johnson, the two-time defending Visa Championships national champion and reigning world champ, exited last night's all-around competition leading with 64.00, despite having to train last week at Iowa State when her West Des Moines gym was affected by the floods in the Midwest.
"I don't believe I'm even here," said Johnson, who, at 16, is in only her second year as a senior competitor - albeit a dominant one. "Pinch me."
Liukin, the United States' best before Johnson turned senior in 2007, trailed at 63.50. Chellsie Memmel led halfway through the four-event competition before the favorites caught her. She stands third, at 62.25, and stood surprised, as well.
Just before the competition, Olympic swimmer Amanda Beard sent her an encouraging text message.
"She said if I ever needed someone to vent to, she was there," Liukin said.
The combined scores from last night and tomorrow night will secure Olympic team spots for the top two all-around performers. So, there is some drama, even if it was expected.
Memmel, the 2005 all-around world champion, shredded her right shoulder at the 2006 world championships. A broken bone in her left foot suffered in April 2004 cost her a real shot at the Athens games. She finished third at the 2008 Visa Championships last month in Boston, behind Johnson and Liukin. Halfway through last night's competition, she led the all-around. She knows back-to-back strong showings make her almost indispensable to the U.S. team, and she could be named to it as soon as Monday even if she finishes third.
"All I know is, if I'm named to the team here or at the selection camp, it'll be a dream come true," said Memmel, one of Johnson's heroes a few years ago.
"She's such an inspiration. I don't even know how to describe it," Johnson said. "In '04, it was heartbreaking to see someone's dreams shattered."
