GB men lead team qualifying at Olympics published at 14:47 27 July
Sonia Oxley
BBC Sport in Paris
Image source, Getty ImagesMax Whitlock is seeking to become the first gymnast to win a medal on the same apparatus at four successive Olympics
Great Britain lead the early team standings in men's gymnastics qualifying at the Paris Olympics after strong performances across the board.
With two sub-divisions still to compete on Saturday - including a session featuring gold-medal favourites Japan and China - Great Britain are on top with 256.561.
They are 3.332 ahead of the United States, who won team bronze at the last World Championships.
The top eight teams will qualify for Monday's final at Bercy Arena.
Saturday's event also serves as qualifying for the all-around and individual apparatus finals and Great Britain's gymnasts have put themselves in good positions for these too, including Max Whitlock, who is chasing a record fourth consecutive Olympic pommel horse medal.
Jake Jarman leads the all-around standings, just 0.231 ahead of team-mate Joe Fraser, and is also top of the floor standings after a huge routine that scored 14.966.
The top 24 gymnasts qualify for the all-around final and two gymnasts per country can qualify.
It was an excellent team performance from Great Britain, with 20-year-old Harry Hepworth leading the vault standings and a strong performances from Luke Whitehouse on floor. The top eight on each apparatus qualify for the finals.
