CARTWHEELS OF JOY

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, Aug. 4 2012 2:50 a.m. MDT

United States' Abby Wambach, center, celebrates after scoring a goal with her teammates goal during their women's quarter-final soccer match against New Zealand at St James' Park in Newcastle, England, during the London 2012 Summer Olympics, Friday, Aug. 3, 2012.

Scott Heppell, Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

The U.S. women's soccer team has revealed that gold medalist Gabby Douglas was the inspiration behind their cartwheeling goal celebration.

"Before the game we were talking about what we could do for a celebration, and I was like 'cartwheels for everybody," said Abby Wambach who scored in the 27th minute, sparking the eye-catching routine.

"We obviously don't do it quite as well," she added.

The New Zealand coach didn't sound too impressed. "I wouldn't like it if our team did that, when teams concede and they're disappointed and they want to get on with the game," Tony Readings said.

"But it's obviously something the Americans do. ... It's something I guess they work on in training."

The Americans don't think they're rubbing anyone the wrong way.

"I'm not a psychologist," said U.S. coach Pia Sundhage. "We score goals, and you're happy. What the players want to do, whatever they do, it has to be fun. If they come up with ideas, that's perfectly fine."

— Joseph White — Twitter http://twitter.com/JGWhiteAP

EDITOR'S NOTE — "Eyes on London" shows you the Olympics through the eyes of Associated Press journalists across the 2012 Olympic city and around the world. Follow them on Twitter where available with the handles listed after each item.

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