Sports
Local Gymnast's Role in the Summer Olympics Comes to an End
Sarah Finnegan was was one of three alternates on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team in the Summer Olympics in London.
The 15-year-old Town and Country teen was one of three alternates on the U.S. Women's Gymnastics Team. Alternates are held in reserve in case one of their teammates becomes injured.
However, her role officially came to an end on Saturday with the USAGymnastics' submission of its final five-woman roster, according to a blog on stltoday.com.
Her coach, Al Fong, told stltoday.com that her duties are over for now.
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“It was all a really great experience,” she told stltoday.com blogger Vahe Gregorian. “Even if you're not called (to compete), it's OK."
On his own blog, Ask Al Fong: Dragon Gymnatics, Fong said in 2003 an lternated was called on to help the team win gold.
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As Terin Humphrey (2004 Olympic Silver medalist) can attest to, the alternate position is extremely important to the team’s success---- but is very difficult. You train away from the team, and often times feel like the forgotten, invisible team mate without a purpose. But….you must be ready to fill the shoes of any team member who goes down because of an injury or an illness. Terin knows all too well how important her role as a replacement athlete was when she was called upon at the last second during the 2003 World Championships where USA won the team gold medal.
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