Olympics >U.S. women’s gymnastics wins gold First Gold Medal Since 1996! Congrats U.S.A!

U.S. women’s gymnastics wins gold First Gold Medal Since 1996! Congrats U.S.A!” >

U.S.A lived up to the hype and then some last night, routing silver medalist Russia and everybody else on their way to their first Olympic title in women’s gymnastics since 1996. Their score of 183.596 was a whopping five points ahead of Russia and made their final event, floor exercise, more like a coronation. Romania won the bronze.

With the Russians on the sidelines crying, U.S.A. stood at the center of the floor, clapping, cheering and basking in a winner’s glow. When the score for captain Aly Raisman flashed, the Americans screamed and a chant of “U-S-A! U-S-A!” rang out around the arena. The women held up their index fingers for the cameras — just in case anyone had a doubt.

The Americans had come into the last two Olympics as world champions, only to leave without a gold. But this team is the strongest, top to bottom, the USA has ever had, and the rest of the world never stood a chance. After the U.S. opened with a barrage of booming vaults, everyone else was playing for silver. Now all they have to do is find themselves a catchy nickname, like “The Magnificent Seven” from 1996. Some have suggested “The Fab Five,” but that belongs to Michigan basketball’s Chris Webber, Jalen Rose and Co. Others have tossed out “The Fierce Five”

See More athttp://espn.go.com/olympics/summer/2012/gymnastics/story/_/id/8218548/2012-london-olympics-us-women-win-first-gymnastics-gold-medal-1996