Chellsie Memmel was the 2005 world all-around champion, and a 2008 Olympic silver medalist with the team. If there was a nomination for unluckiest gymnast, too, I'd think of her first. She was a solid contender (arguably a lock) for the 2004 Olympic team, before injuring her foot. In 2008 she made the team, then broke her foot in practice before the Games, but still gamely competed on bars for the U.S.

Last year at nationals Memmel looked great, and seemed in the running for a spot on the world team before a shoulder injury forced her to have surgery. Her first meet back was the US Classic on Saturday. Memmel had a disastrous day, falling twice on beam -- the only event she competed. A tough competition for sure, but now it seems it might also be her last. USA Gymnastics denied her petition to compete at nationals, and she's also therefore ineligible for Olympic Trials, and the 2012 Olympic team.

Sure, she was a long shot to make the team, and yes, she didn't look up to par at Classics, but still, it seems some respect should be given to her past accomplishments. She first made the senior national team way back in 2003, winning two gold medals (team and bars) at worlds that year. She's been competing for the US for more than a decade when you include her junior results. Plus, with a little under two months to go until the Opening Ceremonies in London, anything could happen. Memmel has a habit of getting her skills back really quickly -- and the USA always seems to lose a few gymnasts to injury before the final team walks out on the floor. I'm surprised the selection committee is so quick to dismiss any gymnast, least of all a former world champ.

A petition has been started at Change.org in support of Memmel. It might be too late for USA Gymnastics to change its stance, but if nothing else, at least Memmel will know how many people think the decision was unfair.

Pictured above: Memmel in 2008; © Harry How / Getty Images

Reigning Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin looked solid on beam at the US Classic on Saturday, earning third place and cementing that her comeback to make the 2012 Olympic team is the real deal.

If she can put up top bars scores as well, I think she has a solid chance of making the team to London. Other gymnasts also impressed at the meet, including Gabrielle Douglas, Kyla Ross, and Sarah Finnegan. Read my full US Classic recap.

The US Classic is Saturday -- and it's the first of three big meets for the US women (nationals and Trials come next, in June) before the Olympic team is named. While many of the gymnasts won't do all-around, there's still plenty of good storylines to follow. Here are my top five:

Nastia Liukin: It's her first meet back since 2009. She's only slated to do beam, but her comeback is highly-anticipated, to say the least.

Rebecca Bross: Liukin's WOGA teammate Bross had a heart-breaking injury at last year's nationals (dislocated kneecap) and is still coming back. Once a virtual lock for the Olympic team, Bross is now specializing on bars and beam, hoping to contribute to the US there.

Sarah Finnegan: Finnegan is a first-year senior who doesn't have tons of experience, but has big skills, especially on beam.

Bridget Sloan: The 2009 world all-around champ has competed very little since then, but is potentially strong on every event.

Gabrielle Douglas: Douglas had the highest score at this year's American Cup (ahead of world all-around champ Jordyn Wieber), and has potential to be one of the best all-arounders at the Olympics this year. She may only compete bars at Classics, but I hope she does all-around so she gets another low-pressure meet under her belt.

Watch the meet live on Universal Sports at 6pm ET on Saturday, May 26.

Pictured above: Nastia Liukin; © Ronald Martinez / Getty Images

The US Classic will be aired on Saturday, May 26, live on Universal Sports and UniversalSports.com starting at 6pm Eastern.

It's one of the qualifiers to US nationals, and has an impressive roster which includes just about every female gymnast hoping to make the Olympic team to London in two months.