LONDON — The reigning world champion Jordyn Wieber left the Olympic gymnastics arena in tears on Sunday after failing to qualify for the finals of the all-around competition.


Wieber, 17, of DeWitt, Mich., was long considered one of the favorites to win the gold medal in the sport’s glamour event because of her mental toughness and ability to knock out solid routines. Martha Karolyi, the United States women’s national team coordinator, had compared Wieber’s psychological strength to that of a gymnastics icon — Nadia Comaneci, the first gymnast to score a perfect 10 at an Olympics.


But in the qualifying round Sunday, Wieber simply could not deliver. She did not have major mistakes, but was not as sharp as usual. Her teammates Aly Raisman and Gabby Douglas took advantage of that opening.


Raisman scored 60.391 points to finish first in qualifying through three of five sessions. Douglas was second, 0.126 back. Wieber was 0.359 points back.


With only two gymnasts from each team advancing to the all-around finals, Raisman and Douglas will be the ones to represent the United States.


“It was hard because, of course, I wanted that spot,” Wieber said in a statement. “But I also wanted Aly to do her best for the team.”


Wieber left the arena without speaking to the news media.


While Wieber and Douglas were considered locks to win medals in the all-around, the 18-year-old Raisman had never been part of that equation — until she took fate into her own hands on Sunday. Known for her consistency, she nailed routine after routine.


The performances of the Americans showed the depth and strength of the U.S. squad, the reigning world champions. Now, though, the American women — and Wieber, especially — must compose themself after a surprising day. Team finals are Tuesday.