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China edges Americans for gold medal in gymnastics

 BEIJING – China won its first Olympic gold medal in women’s gymnastics, taking the most important title in its rivalry with the Americans. China finished with 188.9 points in the women’s team final Wednesday, more than two points ahead of the Americans, who came in as world champions and with the sport’s two best gymnasts.

But the Americans lost any shot they had with multiple mistakes on their last two events, and had to settle for silver for a second straight games. Defending Olympic champion Romania was third.

China coach Lu Shanzhen was astonished by the faltering performance of the American women’s gymnastics team that allowed his athletes to take their first Olympic title on Wednesday.

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