Bridget Sloan Photo © Jeff Gross / Getty Images

The US has named half of its athletes for the upcoming American Cup in Chicago, IL. On the women's side, 2008 Olympian Bridget Sloan and 2008 US Junior National Champion Jordyn Wieber will compete, while the men will send 2008 Olympian Joey Hagerty and 2008 US National Champ David Sender. Two additional women and two men will be named in February.

The men's roster also features some top-notch international competitors: Benoit Caranobe (France), Fabian Hambuechen (Germany), and Flavius Koczi (Romania). The women's field is a bit weaker, but includes 2008 Olympians Ksenia Afanasyeva (Russia), Rebecca Downie (Great Britain), and Koko Tsurumi (Japan). Two more international competitors (one man, one woman) have yet to be announced.

Who would you like to see represent the US in the four open spots?

After every Olympics, the FIG puts together a new Code of Points for the next four years, and this year is no exception.

The new Code will be adopted this year, and will keep the open-ended scoring system first introduced in 2005. One of the key parts of each Code is that every skill is given a value from A-G depending on its difficulty level (A is the easiest). Wondering what you favorite skills are rated? You could download the 194-page document off of the FIG website (and that's just the women's artistic Code), or you could check out these amazing skill montages created by MostepanovaFan on YouTube:

• Tumbling
• Uneven Bars Releases
• Beam Acrobatic Skills
• Beam Dismounts

There's others too if you click around a bit, and these videos are also very helpful if you'd like to learn skill names. (I also have a glossary I'm working on which can help you there too).

Hollie Vise Photo © Jed Jacobsohn / Getty Images

ESPN has posted a great article about two-time World Champion Hollie Vise. Vise was part of the 2003 World team that won an historic gold for the women's program, but, hindered by a back injury, she wasn't selected for the 2004 Olympic squad. Meanwhile, Vise's training partner Carly Patterson went on to win all-around gold that same year.

Vise talks candidly in this piece about her disappointment, saying:

In my eyes, [gymnastics] wasn't the same," Vise said. "I just needed a break… I wanted to try new things and live life a little.

She signed with the University of Oklahoma, but arrived at school able to do very little in the way of gymnastics. She's said in the past that she couldn't even perform a kip. Now, two years later, she is one of the top bars and beam workers on the squad, and has regained her love for the sport. She's a great inspiration, and certainly one to watch this NCAA season. She could very easily add an NCAA title to the World title she holds on bars.

• The ESPN article
• Vise's Bio on the OU site

Mattie Larson Photo © Frank Law

Tell us which new gymnasts you're looking forward to watching this quad (2009-2012) -- in our gymnastics forum.

One of the top picks so far? Olympic Trials competitor Mattie Larson from Los Angeles, CA. Who do you think will be the next star for the US?

• Mattie Larson on floor at Olympic Trials