RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — In the midst of arguably their finest team performance in a quadrennium, a familiar nemesis provided the U.S. men's gymnastics team with a reminder that nothing comes easily.
Especially on pommel horse. Especially at the Olympics.
While having Chris Brooks and Sam Mikulak go spinning off pommels removed some of the sparkle of an occasionally spectacular Saturday during Olympic preliminaries, it also offered a reality check. As solid as the score of 270.405 points was — second only to two-time defending champion China — the Americans know it can be better during Monday's team finals.