2012 Summer Olympics Behind the Scenes Day Five

Tuesday, 2:00 p.m. ET / 7:00 p.m. London: They Did It! Gold for Team USA!

They came in favored to win the gold and they did, becoming the first U.S. women's gymnastics team to end up on top of the medals platform since the 1996 team hailed as the "Magnificent Seven." This team should be called the "Rock Solid Five" with each member nailing their routines.

iVillage's Jodi Kahn, who was inside the arena, said it was a packed house with the energy building with each rotation. The American gymnasts were very vocal during their teammates' routines, she said.

Gabby Douglas' grandmother, Carolyn Ford, watched Team USA's gold medal winning performance from the P&G Family Home. "They represented our country and they went out there and had a job to do and they did it. That speaks volumes," beamed the proud grandma, whose granddaughter competes in the all-around Thursday.

Aly Raisman, the world bronze medalist on the floor, was the last member of Team USA to perform. After her nearly flawless performance on the floor, the crowd, team and coaches erupted with cheers -- and so did all the families watching on TV here.

What was especially wonderful was watching 17-year-old Jordyn Wieber appearing to have the time of her life on the floor, after suffering a crushing defeat Sunday by not qualifying in the all-around final. Now Jordyn has a gold she always dreamed about, and so does Team USA.

Tuesday, 8:00 a.m. ET/1:00 p.m. London: “We are ready to go!!!”

Just scanned Twitter and see that the U.S. women’s gymnastics team – at least from Twitter – seems ready and raring to go. 2011 World Champ Jordyn Wieber, who in a crushing blow failed to qualify for the women’s all-around competition, appears to be putting that defeat behind her. “TEAM FINALS TODAY! Really feeling the USA spirit and we are ready to go!!!” @jordyn_wieber tweeted. Wrote Gabby Douglas, @gabrielledoug, “What time is it?? … ITS GAME TIME!!! LEZZGO.”

Tuesday, 7:00 a.m. ET/12:00 p.m. London: “No Matter What Happens, We’ll Celebrate Like There’s No Tomorrow”

I just posted my interview with Natalie Hawkins, Gabby Douglas' mom. While 16-year-old Gabby is called the “flying squirrel” for the incredible heights she soars on the bars and the beam, her mom should be called “Ms. Ground” for such a balanced philosophy about the Olympics. Later today, Gabby and her teammates will try to win the first Olympic team gold for the U.S. since 1996. Gabby is also one of only two American women who will compete for the all-around gold. 

"We’re going to have a party no matter what you do," Hawkins told us she told Gabby. "Forever more you’re an Olympian and that says it all.” We agree!

Tuesday, 4:00 a.m. ET/9:00 a.m. London: Controversy in the Pool

A story getting plenty of attention in the press centers around a 16-year-old Chinese swimming sensation, Ye Shiwen, who won the gold in the 400 individual medley (IM) and clocked in at a higher speed in the last 50 meters than the men’s gold medal champ in the same event, U.S. star Ryan Lochte.  A U.S. swimming coach who is not affiliated with the U.S. Olympic team, John Leonard, called the swim "disturbing" and "unbelievable," but the Chinese say the swimmer has been subjected to 100 drug tests. I saw a post on Twitter asking a provocative question – would we be asking this same question if the Chinese swimmer were a man?

To view all of Kelly's behind-the-scenes Olympic Games blogs, go here!

Source: http://www.ivillage.com/2012-summer-olympics-behind-scenes-day-five/1-a-475549

Cindy Crawford Cindy Taylor Cinthia Moura Claudette Ortiz Coco Lee Connie Nielsen