USA Gymnastics: Anna Li Defies Odds To Make Olympic Team

Aurora, Illinois' Anna Li was a bit of an underdog to make the US Olympic gymnastics team in 2012, but make it she did -- Li will serve as an alternate in London. Li, who at 23 is the oldest member of the team, is eight years older than her youngest teammate.

The other seven members of the team headed to London are between 15 and 18 years old, to put in perspective just how rare it is for a 23-year-old like Li to have this opportunity.

“I feel like any message I could give out is that I’m the oldest one here, and it’s really cool to think that I had a dream and I decided to go for it,” Li said. “I wanted to feel like I did everything I could to reach my dream. It’s so crazy and surreal. I don’t believe it still.”

Related: 2012 Olympics Preview: US Athletes Ready For London

The gymnastics competitions get underway with the men on July 28; the women get underway on July 29.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of the 2012 London games, check out SB Nation's dedicated Olympics news hub.