U.S. gym team set for Beijing

NEW WAVERLY, Texas – Now it’s official: Chellsie Memmel, Alicia Sacramone and Samantha Peszek are going to the Beijing Olympics, and they’re bringing Bridget Sloan with them.

Considered all but locks after strong showings at last month’s nationals and Olympic trials, Memmel, Peszek and Sacramone looked better Saturday night to earn spots on the U.S. women’s gymnastics team. Sloan, the alternate on last year’s world championship team, upgraded herself with an impressive performance at the two-day selection camp.

The four join Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin, who secured spots with their 1-2 finish at trials, on the last U.S. team to be finalized.

Now it’s on to Beijing, where the Americans will be favorites to add Olympic gold to the one they won at last year’s world championships.

Their biggest competition will come from the home team, China. World champs in 2006 and runners-up last year, the Chinese have made no secret that they desperately want to win gold at home. Romania, Russia and Australia also are expected to contend for a medal.