2012 London Summer Olympics

[ Check Out Stunning Pictures from the Opening Ceremony ]

McKayla Maroney, the overwhelming favorite to win a gold medal on vault, stumbled on her second attempt to settle for silver at London Olympics.

"It happens," the 16-year-old Maroney said. "It's gymnastics, and you can't be perfect. Sometimes things don't go as planned. I don't blame it on anything else. I just messed up."

The reigning vault world champion, Maroney landed her first vault, the Amanar -- a roundoff onto the takeoff board, back handspring onto the table and 2.5 twisting somersaults before landing -- for a score of 15.866, including 9.666 for execution.

Maroney was clearly the favorite. The reigning world champion nailed her first vault, scoring the highest score of the day to that point by 0.466 points.

But Maroney appeared to land the second one on the back of her heels, with her feet sliding forward before dropping to the mat for a score of just 14.3 and an average of 15.083.

"I already knew that I pretty much only had the silver medal. I really didn't deserve to win a gold medal if I fall on my butt," Maroney said. "I was still happy with silver, but it's still just sad."

Sandra Izbasa of Romania won the event with an average score of 15.191 points while Maria Paseka of Russia was third with 15.050 points.

Maroney's silver medal is the third U.S. women, behind Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and Annia Hatch in 2004.

"All I can look forward to is the next competition coming up and I just have to accept that I have a silver medal and that's not too bad," Maroney said.

Not too bad at all. Especially considering Maroney is only 16, helped the U.S. to win its first team gold medal in 16 years, and also has a whole career ahead of her.

In fact, Maroney expects to get back on the vault tomorrow. "Just to stay in shape," Maroney said. "If I got a gold medal, or I didn't get a gold medal, I would still vault tomorrow."

Maroney anchored Team USA's victory in the women's team event with an outstanding 16.233 score in the vault.

"I just wanted them to do so well and I'm just so proud of them. I was screaming and yelling. That last event on floor was really exhilarating, but amazing at the same time. I don't think I will ever, ever forget that," Maroney said after the team captured gold, beating Russia and Romania.

 

 

Gymnast McKayla Maroney Settles for Silver in Vault