EVERYDAY IS NOT GOLDEN DAY ......

Shock as favourite McKayla Maroney misses out on gold after falling on vault

McKayla Maroney has missed out on the Olympic gold medal after falling on her second attempt in the women's vault finals today.

With a score of 15.191, Sandra Izbasa from Romania beat the American, who was a heavy favourite to win after coming first in last year's world championships. 

It was the second career gold medal for Izbasa and a devastating shock for Maroney, who had also posted the highest qualifying score in London.

Blunder: McKayla Maroney, pictured, failed to land her dismount in the women's vault final today

The world champion's rare mistake opened the door for Izbasa, who won the floor exercise at the Beijing Olympics, and she took advantage of it. 

In an instant, the Olympic gold medal that everyone was certain had Maroney's name on it was gone.

Devastating: Maroney, pictured, skids as she lands her second attempt in today's vault final

No consolation: Maroney, pictured left, is comforted by a coach after losing the gold medal

Vault: Maroney, pictured, starts the move well

Maroney claimed the silver medal and looked extremely unimpressed as she stood on the podium next to a beaming Izbasa and Maria Paseka of Russia, who won the bronze.

She took to her Twitter page to tell of her frustration. 'Disappointed on how today turned out, but everything happens for a reason!! #no regrets.. Plus, the silver medal is actually pretty sick,' she Tweeted.  

Had Maroney not fallen, she would have easily won gold because of the degree of difficulty in her vault.

Maroney was attempting a move called the Amanar when her dreams of a gold medal came unstuck.

Disappointed: U.S. gymnast McKayla Maroney, left, watches the score as Romania's Sandra Raluca Izbasa, right, secures gold

Unimpressed: Maroney, pictured, looks distinctly unhappy as she accepts her silver medal on the podium

Fall: Maroney, pictured, was a strong favourite to win but fell on her second attemp