Seems like Chellsie Memmel's shoulder issues are more serious than initially thought.
USA Gymnastics announced today that Memmel has withdrawn from the Pan American Games team due to "a pre-existing shoulder injury." She will be replaced on the team by WOGA's Grace McLaughlin.
Memmel struggled on a full turn on bars on the final night of the U.S. Championships in August, falling twice before ending her routine. She said after the meet that she stopped after feeling her shoulder shift slightly as she went for the turn the second time. After a brief consultation with her father and coach Andy, they made the decision not to continue.
Memmel is no stranger to shoulder injuries -- she badly injured her shoulder during team finals at the 2006 World Championships and was out for more than a year before coming back to make the 2008 Olympic team.
Memmel said after the U.S. Championships that what happened was no big deal, but the more recent injury seemed to hamper her preparation for the World team. Martha Karolyi said this week that the main reason she opted out of sending Memmel to Tokyo was because her shoulder limited what she was able to do at the World selection camps in Texas.
"Everything happens for a reason," Memmel tweeted Friday.
Here's the full release from USA Gymnastics:
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23, 2011 – Grace McLaughlin of Allen, Texas/WOGA, has been added to the U.S. Women’s Team for the 2011 Pan American Games, Oct. 24-29, in Guadalajara, Mexico, pending approval by the U.S. Olympic Committee. She replaces Chellsie Memmel of West Allis, Wis./M&M Gymnastics, who withdrew due to a pre-existing shoulder injury.
In addition to McLaughlin, the members of the women’s team are: Bridgette Caquatto of Naperville, Ill./Legacy Elite Gymnastics LLC; Jessie DeZiel of Rogers, Minn./Twin City Twisters; Brandie Jay of Ft Collins, Colo./GK Gymnastics; Shawn Johnson of West Des Moines, Iowa/Chow's Gymnastics and Dance Institute; and Bridget Sloan of Pittsboro, Ind./Sharp's Gymnastics Academy. The replacement athletes are Hallie Mossett of Los Angeles, Calif./West Coast Elite Gymnastics, and McKenzie Wofford of McKinney, Texas/Zenith Elite Gymnastics Academy.
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