Bela, Bela, Bela

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PHILADELPHIA -- Bela Karolyi was the popular kid in the lobby of the Philadelphia Marriott on Friday afternoon.

He offered opinions on who might make the men’s team -- ‘I think they will have to take David Sender.’ And on the physical condition of Shayla Worley, a member of the U.S. gold medal 2007 world championship team who has been struggling with a back injury that kept her out of the national championships: ‘She’s so-so,’ Karolyi said.

Sender, the newly minted U.S. national all-around champion, sprained his right ankle during practice Wednesday and missed Thursday’s first round. He has submitted a petition to be considered for an Olympic team spot even if he can’t compete in the final night of trials Saturday.

And indeed Worley pulled out of the floor exercise competition for the first round of the women’s Olympic trials tonight. Also Bridget Sloan, an alternate on last year’s team who is recovering from knee surgery, withdrew from the vault competition.

-- Diane Pucin