“ Some folks say Samantha Peszek wasn’t taken off the team in 2008 because the alternates were in Japan. I think people are getting Chellsie’s cracked ankle, which happened at the games confused with Sam’s injury which happened two weeks before when Steve Rybacki tried to make her change her vaulting technique. I think the real reason Sam wasn’t taken off the team was because her mom, Luan Peszek, had worked at USAG headquarters for almost 20 years by 2008. “
Or because logically, where would have Jana or Ivana fitted into the team final lineup in replacement of where Sam was due to complete? Sam may have been a lead off on beam or floor in quals (a spot that may have also been Chellsie’s) and lead off on vault on team final, all roles that were and able to be adequately filled by Bridget who was already competing.
