(24 July 1996; Day 5)
The Georgia Dome is fast becoming the most dramatic place to witness the 1996 Olympic Games. First there was Kerri STRUG (USA) who landed her final vault with a sprained ankle to ensure the USA women's team of a gold medal.
Today's excitement was provided by LI Xiaoshuang (CHN) and Alexei NEMOV (RUS) in the battle for the men's individual all-around championship. The stage for this drama was set as the athletes moved to their final rotations. LI was competing on the horizontal bar, NEMOV on the floor exercises. NEMOV held a .038 lead over LI.
As if following a script, the two routines began at the exact same moment at the center of the gymnastics arena.
LI proceeded with near perfection, landing his twisting dismount solidly, without a step or a waver.
"I had a feeling at that moment," said LI of the moments before he grabbed the bar. "I was thinking about [NEMOV] and my coach said, 'Don't think about it, look forward, press ahead,' and that is what I did. I knew if I hit it clean and hit it strong, I would win the gold medal."
NEMOV, at his most critical moment, missed the middle connection on his final tumbling pass. His 9.700 on the floor exercise was not enough to overcome LI's 9.787 on the bar. NEMOV took the silver.
"I did not know how close it was," NEMOV said. "I never look at anyone, I just do my thing. I simply didn't do the connection. That was one-tenth, and that very possibly cost me the gold. Of course I did not do it on purpose. I don't know why it didn't work out, it was just fate."
Fate plays a part in all dramas. LI's favored Chinese team had placed second to NEMOV's Russia in the battle for the men's team gold medal on 22 July. For LI, the individual all-around gold was the next best thing to a team medal.
"I am very excited, very happy," said LI. "A gold medal has been my target for 10 years. It is the first time for a Chinese gymnast to win this event, and this gold is the second most important medal in gymnastics competition. I am very glad I did it."
"When I started on the national team, I was not a very strong team member, and I learned a lot from the stronger members. I have gotten the best of help and worked very hard to improve my skills. I will always believe that as long as you make great efforts, you will achieve."
This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Theresa Kelly Gegen.
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| Pin trading was one of the most popular Olympic sports, with more than 1.2 million pins changing hands during the Games in the Coca Cola Pin Trading Center at Centennial Olympic Park. |