Chellsie Memmel on the bars

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BEIJING -- Chellsie Memmel did her uneven bars routine Thursday. She landed gingerly on her sore right ankle, but she stood up.

Shawn Johnson fell on her release move and got a do-over, and Memmel also did a second routine. Her second landing was more secure and the whole U.S. team let out a whoop -- along with another one later on when Memmel did a third landing that was even more solid.

Nastia Liukin, the only American to score over 17 on the apparatus, did a confident run-through with a step back on the landing causing an obvious deduction.

So far on the day, Bridget Sloan has looked the most improved from her performances at the last selection camp. If Memmel is only able to do uneven bars on Sunday (team qualifying day), Sloan’s performances become more crucial.

At team qualifying, five of the six girls compete on each event and the top four scores count.

The Americans finished off podium training on the balance beam where Liukin, Johnson and Sacramone were all nearly perfect.

The women will come back to the media center in about two hours to speak about their Beijing experience so far.

-- Diane Pucin