The US women's gymnastics team just obliterated the competition like never before to win a gold medal
After a dominant qualifying heat on Sunday, the US women once again flattened competition en route to an easy gold medal at the team final.
The US finished with a score of 184.897 - eight points better than second-place China. As SB Nation's Rodger Sherman pointed out, the gap between the US and second-place China was wider than the gap between China and last-place Brazil.
The team finished with a bang on the floor. 16-year-old Laurie Hernandez kicked things off with a wink at the judges before scoring a 14.8, the best of the day, in one of the biggest routines of her life. It was just the beginning. Aly Raisman then followed it up with a nearly flawless routine for a 15.3.
It didn't seem like it could be topped, but then Simone Biles, with the gold all but wrapped up (she needed just an eight to seal the gold) came out and put on a show. She scored a 15.8. Incredible.
Amazingly, USA's dominance came after a somewhat disappointing balance beam performance. Biles stood out, as early on, she twice wobbled on the four-inch beam. She finished with a 15.3. The gymnastics world was taken back by this show of humanity by Biles.
Perhaps Jerry Sullivan of The Buffalo News put it best: The US women's team can win gold without arguably the best gymnast in the world. With her, they're unstoppable.
This team is dynastic, and they'll get to show off even more in the individual all-around Thursday.