Men's and Ladies' Gymnastics

[Olympia]

Here is Dominique Dawes interviewing Olga.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GidXQhpHIs0

Some interesting thoughts from Olga and she does mention the "squirrel" as her favorite from the London games.
A few other interesting views about changes in the scoring system and the equipment.

Thinking back, as much as I loved Olga's floor routines I didn't realize the floor had no spring back then.

I did not make a list of favorite Olympians (I have too many) but if I did Olga would be right up at the top.

Thanks, Janetfan. What a wonderful interview. Both ladies, Korbut and Dawes, come off well in it. I loved when Olga explained the difference in the scoring system back then. I agree that Korbut would go on my list of favorite Olympians. More so than Nadia, even, because of her wonderful personality. I also had a special affection for her floor routine. Nadia was more aloof and businesslike and didn't project personality as well as Olga.

I do remember some comment in 1984, when Mary Lou was performing, about the floor being sprung at that point, so I assume that this was when the new floors were instituted.

[MoonlightSkater]

Another change of medalists. Both with the same score. Congrats to Raisman sorry Ponor I think they should give divided bronze in the future. They do in wrestling.

They used to, but the IOC asked them to come up with tie breakers. : /

[snowflake]

Oh, thanks, I didn't know.

[Olympia]

I don't see why they can't have a tie. It would be a lot less painful. I hate watching people who think they've won and then have to back away. The gymnastics federation should have said, "Phooey on you, IOC. We're the marquee sport of the Summer Olympics, and we're doing things our way."

At least Ponor got a medal, and for a far more distinguished performance (that slinky floor exercise) than the disputed beam. It was a real pleasure to watch her. She has the interpretive power of a mature artist--she doesn't look like a wind-up toy that's been programmed by the coach. Too bad she's not a figure skater. There's not much scope for musicality in gymnastics floor routines these days. I wish I'd seen the medal ceremony.

By the way, did everyone see Nelli Kim there supervising the judges' panel during the deliberations over the balance beam protest? She was on that great Soviet team in 1976, and she was the only other gymnast besides Comaneci who got perfect 10's. Hers were on the vault and the floor exercise. I'm glad she's still involved with gymnastics.

[Johar]

Ponor is a pleasure to watch! Was very happy she got a medal.

[Mathman]

Here is Dominique Dawes interviewing Olga.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GidXQhpHIs0

What a poised, confident, and professional interviewer Dominique Dawes has become! Awesome Dawesome!

[skateluvr]

I don't see why they can't have a tie. It would be a lot less painful. I hate watching people who think they've won and then have to back away. The gymnastics federation should have said, "Phooey on you, IOC. We're the marquee sport of the Summer Olympics, and we're doing things our way."

At least Ponor got a medal, and for a far more distinguished performance (that slinky floor exercise) than the disputed beam. It was a real pleasure to watch her. She has the interpretive power of a mature artist--she doesn't look like a wind-up toy that's been programmed by the coach. Too bad she's not a figure skater. There's not much scope for musicality in gymnastics floor routines these days. I wish I'd seen the medal ceremony.

By the way, did everyone see Nelli Kim there supervising the judges' panel during the deliberations over the balance beam protest? She was on that great Soviet team in 1976, and she was the only other gymnast besides Comaneci who got perfect 10's. Hers were on the vault and the floor exercise. I'm glad she's still involved with gymnastics.

Ponor handled her loss of medal, at her last Olympics by shaking her head, but her federation did not rush over. It was instigated by Bela Karolyi in the stands. Mihi (sp) Aly's coach said "for what?" so I guess it pays to complain because there is leeway in gymnastics and skating to change a mark and thus a medal. No one gets perfect scores now but I think a perfect score was deserved twice for mckayla maroney. too bad she couldn't do it on the indivdual vault. She was definitely ripped at her silver, disappointed in herself, I am sure. Gabby seems to smile through it all, though she will be her own self. It is interesting she at one point in Desmoines was not working and not good attitude. Apparently she had her phone and laptop taken away. It reminds us these are sheltered kids, and not Robots, yet some coaches/countries really apply the pressure. Bela may be a tough old nut but he does what it takes to produce champions. It has been very interesting to watch him lead USA gymnatics over the years.

I will forever be in Jordyn's corner and if she competes, I hope she does great again. Her heartbreak was understandable, and I hope she realizes the team gold would not have happened without her. She is very gracious...thee are a lot of pictures of mckayla out there, apparently she is not very popular. I think when they tour and do all the shows on TV, that might be forgotten. I woonder if the other 4 will get endorsements? I truly hope they all get something. They are all reasonable cute, and I am hoping Kyla stays in and does well. I think she'd be a marketable athlete. I have so enjoyed watching the gymnastics but wanted to see more countries, more gymnasts And Komova and Mustafina show us the beauty that is still Russian gymnastics. I loved the chinese on beam. I didn't watch much of the mens but it is amazing what they do know for tumbling. A wonderful Olympics for the USA and when Mustafina is fully healed, watch out. I regret that we, at least I did not see the 37 year old woman from ? do her thing do her thing. I hope these routines show up on youtube eventually.

Thanks all for your comments and participation in the summer games.

[Johar]

Was the 37 year old actually at these Olympics?

[DianaSelene]

Was the 37 year old actually at these Olympics?

Yes, her name is Oksana Chusovitina and she represented Germany.

[blue dog]

Yes, her name is Oksana Chusovitina and she represented Germany.

And she even came in fifth in the vault final!

[dorispulaski]

Here's Oksana Chusovitina at the 2012 Europeans!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t86LqpaeLzk

She is an amazing and inspiring lady.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oksana_Chusovitina

She has competed in 6 Olympic games for 3 different national teams

She has medalled at Worlds in the vault 9 times.

In late 1997 Chusovitina married Uzbekistani Olympic wrestler Bakhodir Kurpanov. The two originally met at the 1994 Asian Games in Hiroshima, where they were both competing.[7] The couple's son, Alisher, was born in November 1999.[2][4]


In 2002, Alisher was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL).[8] Seeking advanced medical treatment for their son, Chusovitina and her husband accepted an offer of help from Shanna and Peter Brüggemann, head coaches of the Toyota Cologne club, and moved to Germany. [9] With prize money earned from gymnastics competitions, along with the help of the Brüggemanns and members of the international gymnastics community who fundraised and donated to the cause, Chusovitina was able to secure treatment for Alisher at the University of Cologne's hospital. [1][4][10][11] While Alisher underwent treatment in Cologne, Chusovitina trained with the German team

She went on to become a German citizen and compete for Germany.

In the floor exercise, Chusovitina is credited as the first woman to successfully perform a layout-full-out on floor.[4] A vault specialist, she is the only top female vaulter in the world who does not perform Yurchenko style vaults. Instead, she competes only front handspring entry and Tsukahara-family vaults. Chusovitina is also credited with two bars moves in the Code of Points: a hop-full pirouette release and a full-out dismount.[4]

[DianaSelene]

Chusovitina was an olympic champion in 1992 where she competed for the team medal with the Russians in the Unified Team.

[janetfan]

Here is a piece from 2008 about this inspiring gymnast:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dn5vRKpRGE

[Olympia]

Thanks for the information about Chusovitina. What a magnificent story: not just her strength and longevity in her sport but her willingness to move the earth for her son, and also the generosity of the gymnastics community. Everyone in this story is wide awake with the lights on inside.

[skateluvr]

Except for NBC who did not fluff her nor show her on vault...it boggles the mind.