What a Day!!

WOW!! That was definitely one of the most memorable days of my life. I really can't put into words what Team Finals was like yesterday...but I'll try. I knew this team was capable of a great performance, and what ended up happening was something very special. As I watched the competition from the stands, I was in awe of the display USA Team put on. They competed inspired and it seemed like they were in a collective zone. I remember thinking, around the end of the third event, that this was our day and that we were going to do something great. As we finished the competition on pommel horse and secured the bronze medal, it became a very emotional moment for me. At the time I didn't realize that NBC had a camera on me, but I found out later on that I was crying on TV. I honestly couldn't hold back the tears at that moment. It was the culmination of what I had trained for my entire life, and I wanted to be on that floor sharing in that moment with those guys. I got down on the floor and I told each guy how impressed and proud I was of what they accomplished. Those bronze medals are beautiful, and in a lot of ways that medal is as good as gold for us. As an alternate I didn't get a medal, but I did share in their celebration and I felt as much a part of that team as they did.
Afterwards, it became a crazy day of media events. We went from a press conference, to a show on Oxygen about the Olympics, to Access Hollywood, to being live on the Today Show. I also did a video interview for Today.com which was fun. After we finished we headed to the USA House where the USOC had a party for us. Many members of the USOC and IOC Board of Directors were there. It was an real honor to meet them. All of our families came too, so it was great to have everyone together after such a big night.
I can't say enough about how grateful I am to be part of this incredible team. They have allowed me to share in there success and really feel like am part of this medal performance. In my heart I feel very much a part of this team, but to know that they feel the same way makes it even better. We are all very close and for the rest of our lives we will have a bond that most people will never understand. Many people doubted that we could do anything significant at these Games, and last night we showed what can happen when you believe in yourself and your teammates, and not what negative people have to say. I have no doubt that this will lead to many future medals for the US over the years as we continue do what others might not be able to...and that's make an individual sport like gymnastics, a sport that is team oriented. The team is what matters first...always.