Top 10 Gymnastics Moments from Rio

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 16: (L to R) Silver medalist Danell Leyva of the United States, gold medalist Fabian Hambuechen of Germany and bronze medalist Nile Wilson of Great Britain pose for photographs on the podium at the medal ceremony for the Horizontal Bar Final on Day 11 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Rio Olympic Arena on August 16, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

3. Danell Leyva- from alternate to two-time silver medalist

First of all, Danell being named (originally) as an alternate on the Men’s Gymnastics team was shocking. He’d been to the Olympics before (2012) and was the only men’s gymnast from the US to win a medal In London (bronze- individual all-around), and has won several medals in major competitions since he broke onto the scene in 2011- he can handle the Olympic pressure and potentially deliver for Team USA. This year it seemed his Olympic career could be over. Alternates don’t often get the chance to compete. But it seemed the Olympic gods had something else in store for Leyva when his teammate and friend John Orozco tore his ACL- freeing up a spot on the team.

Danell slid into John’s spot, chosen from the three alternates Team USA had, and ended up winning two silver medals- in the high bar, and the parallel bars. It’s as close to a Cinderella story as you’re going to get for this men’s team this year- maybe the women’s juju will rub off on these guys and next Olympics we’ll get a team gold out of them, too.

Bonus: Danell stripped his shirt off for the gymnastics gala in Rio. Enjoy. 🙂

Next: Men's Team: Ukraine Scratch