Friday, January 23, 2009

Top 10 gymnastics moments that will make me cry

1. 1992 Olympics, all-around
Shannon Miller. Anyone who was really watching and knew what was going on knew that this kid had a legit. shot at winning. But we didn't know enough about her to be able to rely on her to hit once again. She qualified first with compulsories and optionals, but this may have been a fluke. But time after time, she was hitting. And you have to remember, for the U.S., this was huge. Sure Zmeskal was the current world all-around champion, but we still hadn't really "Broken through" the iron curtiain. There were a large number of legitimate contenders: Boginskaya, Gutsu, Lysenko, Bontas, Milosovici, Onodi and Zmeskal. Sorry to say it, but this was not a 2008 Olympics scenario where everyone knew that one of two girls was going to win. No one really knew. And the spotlight was not on Miller. This the the ideal scenario. When it comes down to Miller's vault, I always lose it. Nunno is ecstatic and we even see Miller crack a smile after her first vault.

2. 1995 World Championships, all-around
As Milo dismounts beam, her final event, she leaves the podium and breaks down. This always gets me. The poor girl never won an all-around title. And she finally breaks down, after giving it her all, and her competition is complete.

3. 1972 Olympics, team finals
Olga Korbut steps up to mount the uneven bars. I think the old-school commentators really add a lot. They get so excited. "Watch this, watch this...back flip right to the other bar! ....Has that been done before, by a girl? .....Never, not by any HUMAN that I know of!" She dismounts effortlessly, and then runs off the podium, smiling. Then she goes to balance beam. Near the end of the routine, the commentators get excited. "Think this is the part we've been waiting for....back flip and...a front off! Look at the gal go!" I mean, history is being made here. How can you not tear up?

4. 1972 Olympics, event finals
Olga is on floor, after Touricheva. I think the common thought is that Touricheva has won it. But everyone's REAL favorite is Olga. Well, her music is just charming. And seductive. The whole package is just brilliant. As she finishes, it's like the commentators have fallen in love with her. "Oh yeah...she feels like she can fly to the moon on her own power right now."

5.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

The 2008 US Men's Olympic Bronze. I was in tears.