Thoughts on qualifying

Ok, like most of the world I am commenting on what I have heard rather than what I have seen of the qualifications- I really hope the BBC (and whichever broadcaster it is where you are) have full coverage of the qualifications next year in London!

The Highlights

• Making the Olympics! (naturally) well done to team GB and all the others for holding their nerve in a close competition - We knew USA, Russia, China and Romania would be going but beyond that the competition was open. Looks like the second qualifying event in London will be a good'un too. 
• USA and Japan - winning the consistency prizes for rising to the pressure and having no falls. USA had to deal with the loss of their team leader (Sacramone) and Japan rose beautifully to the challenge of being the home team.
• The young'uns - Komova, Wieber and Yao lead the all-around in their first worlds. Also Inshina, Bulimar and Douglas for making individual event finals.

The Upsets

• Porgras, Tweddle and Mitchell missing event finals where they are defending world champions
• Jiang Yuyuan missing the all around (none of last years medallists will be back this year)
• He Kexin falling off bars (again)
• Spain, Korea, Canada and Belgium in the running still for olympic team spots (a good upset!) 
• Pena of Dominican Republic on vault (I hope she can land on her feet in finals!)
• Vault in general! Still the weakest event overall for the ladies - but the most exciting for new faces making a name for themselves.

I'm sure there will be more surprises in store before the end of these championships....

Here is Imogen Cairn's opinion, courtesy of Ollie Williams