LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 05: Mc Kayla Maroney of United States competes on the vault during the Artistic Gymnastics Women's Vault final on Day 9 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at North Greenwich Arena on August 5, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
NANCY ARMOUR
AP National Writer
LONDON (AP) - Sandra Izbasa won the Olympic gold medal on vault after heavy favorite McKayla Maroney fell on her second attempt.
It was the second career gold medal for the Romanian, who won the floor exercise at the Beijing Olympics. And it was a shock for Maroney, who'd been the heavy favorite after winning the world title last year and posting the highest qualifying score in London.
But Maroney appeared to land her second vault on her heels, and her legs quickly skidded out from under her. The crowd gasped as she plopped to the mat, and her score of 14.3 gave her an avearge of 15.083. Izbasa finished with an average of 15.191.
Maria Paseka of Russia won the bronze.
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8/5/2012 10:31:05 AM (GMT -4:00)
Associated Press