Two veterans know the routine

Chellsie Memmel, who turns 20 next month, is close friends with Alicia Sacramone, 20, who has fought through her own injury problems over the years. Sacramone winked at Memmel at the end of Thursday’s routines. Memmel winked back.

It was a knowing exchange between two aching veterans who have spent four years trying to keep a small piece of territory from the little hands and feet of the younger, fresher gymnasts who are always on the way.

“I’m so happy for Chellsie,” Sacramone said. “Us old girls have to stick together.”