Kupets Leads at Women’s Trials

For gymnasts vying for the six spots on the U.S. Olympic women’s team at the Athens Games, an approving nod from Martha Karolyi is the equivalent of having fate smile on them.

And Karolyi, who wields immense power as coordinator of the women’s program and a member of the Olympic selection committee, smiled at, and on, a number of competitors Friday during the preliminary all-around competition at the Olympic trials.

Karolyi was seen on the video screen at the Arrowhead Pond of Anaheim uttering a “Wow” after Mohini Bhardwaj’s uneven bars routine, rejoicing after Tabitha Yim’s floor routine and wincing once or twice, but she had more reason to rejoice than to worry.

Some of her smiles were produced by Courtney Kupets, who continued a remarkable recovery from the Achilles’ tendon injury she suffered in Anaheim at last year’s World Championships and leads the 16-woman field. Kupets, who earlier this month shared the U.S. all-around title with Carly Patterson, amassed 38.075 points, looking sure and collected all the while. Dynamic Courtney McCool was second at 37.775 points, just ahead of Terin Humphrey, who had 37.625, and Patterson, who had 37.575 points.

Yim, of Irvine, was fifth at 37.525 points, and UCLA alum Bhardwaj was sixth, with 37.325 points. Tasha Schwikert, a 2000 U.S. Olympian who plans to attend UCLA this autumn, was seventh with 37.250 points. Allyse Ishino of Santa Ana was eighth, with 37.225 points.

The top two women after Sunday’s all-around finale will earn spots on the Athens team, pending verification of their readiness at a mid-July selection camp. The remaining four spots and alternates will be chosen by Karolyi and fellow committee members Roe Kreutzer and Larissa Fontaine.

“I hope I’m really giving the selection committee something to think about,” Bhardwaj said.

Kupets wasn’t sure what to think. “Sometimes when you’re on top after the first day, it’s harder to stay on top,” said the 17-year-old from Gaithersburg, Md. “You just have to work your routines and do your best.”

Finishing in the top two here would be a confidence boost, but she’s not sure what else it would mean. “You’re sort of part of the team if nothing happens,” she said, “so you can’t just be relaxed.”

Patterson lost ground when her foot slipped off the balance beam on the landing of a switch leap and she got merely 9.05. However, she rebounded to earn a 9.60 on floor exercise, her final event. Her gaffe isn’t likely to hurt her Olympic chances because of her impressive accomplishments the past two seasons, which include a silver all-around medal at last year’s world championships.

Bhardwaj led after two rotations before being overtaken by Kupets, who had torn off a toe nail in practice earlier this week but showed no sign of infirmity in getting a 9.60 for her snappy, jam-packed balance beam routine. McCool also moved ahead with a 9.625 on her balance beam routine.

Bhardwaj was out of the sport from August 2002 until July 2003 after dislocating her elbow. She had maxed out her credit cards and was struggling to support herself when actress Pamela Anderson learned about her woes and offered to fund her training. Anderson reportedly has spent $20,000.

“I just couldn’t give up the sport and couldn’t really give up the Olympic dream,” said Bhardwaj, who finished 10th at the 1996 Olympic trials but skipped the 2000 trials.

Anderson’s generosity “helps me keep my mind on what I’m supposed to be doing, as opposed to how I’m supposed to be paying for it,” Bhardwaj said. “I’m 25. I don’t live with my parents. I live in L.A., so you know how much that costs.”

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Bob Colarossi, president of USA Gymnastics, said he urged the men’s program committee to announce the Olympic team after today’s men’s all-around finals or announce a training squad from which the team will be selected. He said committee members will decide today whether they’ll make their final choices or hold a selection camp.

The committee must “balance history and experience and depth against some fresh faces that maybe don’t have the level of difficulty but have great skills,” he said. “I think everyone would like to have the team [today] so they can take their preparation to a different place. That said, the overriding decision that’s going to be made is whether we have confidence we can complete the process here and know we have the right six guys.”

Because of a faulty computer program, inaccurate scores and standings were displayed Thursday during the men’s preliminaries. Approaching today’s finale, which is worth 30% of each man’s score, Paul Hamm leads with 40.420 points, followed by Brett McClure (40.027), Sean Townsend (39.452), Todd Thornton (39.347), Morgan Hamm (39.335) and Stephen McCain (39.210).

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Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis., who broke her left foot April 8, said Karolyi watched her work out and told her to concentrate on the uneven bars and balance beam and not push to perform all four events here. “I think it gives me a better chance,” said Memmel, who contributed to the U.S. team’s gold medal at last year’s World Championships and is known for innovative moves.

Memmel, who turned 16 on Wednesday, is grateful the Athens team won’t be picked after Sunday’s finale. “This selection process helps me a lot, being able to go to the selection camp,” she said.

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The 1984 U.S. men’s Olympic team will hold a reunion today at the Pond. The women’s team will reunite Sunday. Mary Lou Retton will sign autographs at the Pond starting at 2 p.m.

Times Staff Writer Robyn Norwood contributed to this story.