The US men's gymastics team faced extraordinary challenges this year including the loss of the two top team members to injury. Many doubted they would make the finals, much less win a medal.
But somehow the US team turned in one great performance after another to remain in the medal hunt. The team actually led the heavily favored Chinese and Japanese teams at the midway point of the competition.
In the final event, the pommel horse, the US turned in two disastrous routines and it looked like they would be out of the medals. It would all come down to Soviet Union native Alexander "Sasha" Artemev, a young alternate on the team who was tapped to compete in Beijing after the injuries of his team members.
And then as Americans held their breath, Artemev delivers the routine of his life and scored high enough to beat the Germans and secure a bronze medal for the underdog Americans.
Congrats to the American gymnasts!
