U.S. Gymnasts Edge Russia

The U.S. women’s gymnastics team overcame inexperience and an injury to Shannon Miller and managed to squeak to a team bronze medal in the world championships.

Romania won the team gold, and China, making its strongest showing in years, took the silver medal in the tournament, which is considered a major preview of the Summer Olympics in Atlanta next year. The top 12 teams earned the right to enter the Atlanta Games.

The United States, which had been in second place after the compulsory exercises, lost ground during the optional exercises because of some sloppy performances. It held on to third place against surging Russia in a battle that was decided on the last vault by 14-year-old Dominique Moceanu, the national champion. After landing poorly on her first attempt, Moceanu scored a 9.612 on the second, barely enough to allow the U.S. to finish ahead of Russia by 0.016 points.