Vaulting high

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BEIJING -- Height was not a problem with the U.S. girls. With USA gymnastics president Steve Penny yelling from the stands, Samantha Peszek, Shawn Johnson, Bridget Sloan and Alicia Sacramone each caught big air. Chellsie Memmel’s work was limited to helping move the springboard and she is walking with a slight limp. Sacramone did three vaults and each got better.

Bela Karolyi, standing in the press seats and watching every move, was asked his impressions of the Chinese team, which had practiced earlier. ‘They are ready,’ he said.

-- Diane Pucin