Shawn Johnson Takes Home The Gold In Balance Beam

BEIJING — Shawn Johnson finally got her Olympic gold medal in the last event of the women's competition Tuesday night, the balance beam.

Johnson nailed her routine that is chock-full of difficult tricks, earning a 16.225. Her grin was a thousand times wider than the 4-inch-wide beam she had just conquered.

The world champion, who already had a silver behind fellow American Nastia Liukin in the all-around, and a silver on floor and in the team event, edged Liukin, who finished with a gold, three silvers and a bronze.

Cheng Fei of China took the bronze, giving China six women's medals, two behind the U.S.

Comments

[carlgt1]

I'm so glad she won a gold finally, it makes up a little for Luikin getting robbed on that "tiebreaker" to China the other night (but at least Nastiya has a gold too).

[jso72]

Shawn, congratulations! You have shown such grace and dignity throughout the whole games - you are a class act all the way. Both you and Nastia, and all of the US women have made us proud in the way you handled yourselves in every aspect of the competition, especially in situations where lesser people could have easily taken the low road. Again, congratulations on your gold, and congratulations to the whole US women's team - great job guys!

[AfroLatina21]

Congratulations Shawn! I was rooting for her the whole time. She deserves that gold medal.

[conniedogs]

WAY TO GO SHAWN!!!!!!! You deserve the gold, not only for the beam but the floor exercise as well. Actually had the judges been fair with the scoring you would have won the All-Around. I'm glad you won and I hope you get TONS of endorsements!

[xandix]

I completely agree with you. She's still America's golden girl!

[Dramaticlookcat]

Thanks for ruining the suspense when I watch gymnastics tonight on NBC. Couldn't you have waited?

[chinationreport]

She is beautiful and radiant. Her smile melts anyone's heart. I am always touched to see how she greets her Chinese coach and other Chinese girls after each performance. They compete but they share a level of compassion for each other that is probably beyond the understanding of you and me. Those beautiful moments bring out the true spirit of the Olympics Games.

We will see another significant and historic match between Chinese and USA : the beach volleyball final. Fans, get ready! See pictures and read about the China - US beach volleyball final at:
http://www.chinationreport.com/

[gmknobl]

Great! You go!

I know you may not care but we still wish you didn't have to go up against the very good but underage girls. Yogurt happens. It's only important that you know the team gave it the best and the rest of us know you gave it all too. That's worth gold no matter what medal the team got. Justice will eventually be served in the fullness of time, IOC or no IOC.

[StanTheManic]

We're proud of you here in the Heartland, Shawn!