Brazil: Closest competition for Team USA with
the second best gymnast in the world in Rebeca Andrade. But even beyond their ace, this team is staked with Rio 2016 veterans Flavia Saravia, Lorrane Oliveira, and 33-year-old Jade Barbosa (likely competing in the final meet of her career) adding dynamic first time Olympian Julia Soares, who qualified for Beam finals. This team is the favorite to win silver for Brazil’s long overdue first ever Olympic team medal.
Italy: This team is built on the backs of two aces in Manila Esposito and Alice D’Amato, who finished #6 and #7 in the all-around quals as well as giving Italy representatives in the beam, bars, and floor finals. Add in strong contributions from #13 all-around overall Elisa Iorio, and it’s easy to see why they are a favorite for a podium spot. Also scary how this team could have been even better if not for the injury to Vanessa Ferrari in the weeks before Paris.
China: It’s been a rough go for China in international competitions since Rio. They really need to be on the podium here in Paris for a boost to their program, and with both Russia and now France out of contention, this is their golden opportunity. Qui Qiyaun is their Suni Lee - all-around ace and stellar bars specialist. Ou Yushan gives them a solid #2 all-around and floor specialist. While they don’t have much on vault, Zhao Yaqin gives them an ace on beam and Zang Yihan gives them a second elite bars specialist. They have the talent, but need to really excel in their areas of strength to overcome their weaknesses.
Japan: Really rather impressive they’re still here given the controversy swirling around them after sending their team captain home for partying in Monaco. Rina Kishi stepped up to carry the team through quals finishing #10 in the all-around and making the floor finals. The other three remaining team members: Haruka Nakamura, Mana Okamura, and Kohane Ushioku all dug deep to finish in the top 30 in the all-around and help Japan live to fight for one more day. They’ve shown a ton of grit and resilience, and if they still manage to nab a medal, this would be a monumental story, but that’s hyper unlikely.
Canada: This team is superstar Ellie Black and a bunch of girls named Jane. (apologies to the talented Ava Stewart, Aurelia Tran and vault specialist Shallon Olsen). There is depth on this team, but it still all comes down to Black. Two years ago, Black was able to single-handedly will Canada onto the podium at Worlds, but the competition for the top three is much more ferocious here in Paris.
Great Britain: This team was ravaged by injuries before they even got to Paris, losing ace Ondine Achamping and the Gadirova twins, and I’m having trouble understanding how they’re even still here. Georgia-Mae Fenton and Alice Kinsella put in moderately good showings across the board and Rebecca Downie gave them a boost on bars, but they probably would have been out had France and Australia not underachieved.
Romania: I can’t exactly say this is a team that truly is just happy to be here. Romania of course used to be an elite power house in women’s artistic gymnastics. But they haven’t medaled in the sport at the Olympics since London in 2012. Sabrina Maneca-Voinea is their best hope to break that streak during the event finals of floor and beam, and they have a pair of decent all-arounders in Ana Barbosu and Amalia Ghigoarta, but they should not be making much noise during the team finals.
