NEW WAVERLY, Texas – Shayla Worley left the selection camp for the U.S. women's gymnastics team on crutches Friday and won't compete in at least the first day of competition after injuring her lower right leg.
It wasn't clear what this does to Worley's chances to make the Beijing Olympics team. Tears filled her eyes as she and her coaches left the gym for X-rays, and her right leg was in a walking boot.
Her lower right leg had been bothering her when she arrived at the Karolyi ranch Tuesday, and she felt something “pop” as she warmed up on the balance beam Friday.
The 10 women competing for the remaining four spots are doing an all-around meet Friday and another two events Saturday, after which the team will be named. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin secured spots with their 1-2 finish at last month's Olympic trials.
The injury is the latest setback for Worley, a member of last year's gold-medal world championship team who began the year as a favorite for Beijing. She skipped the national championships with a back injury, and was still struggling with it at the trials.