ACOG - News - IBM

(4 August 1996; Day 16)

SEREBRYANSKAYA Fights for Rhythmic Gymnastics

Ekaterina SEREBRYANSKAYA did more on Sunday afternoon than win the individual all-around gold medal in rhythmic gymnastics. Not only did she become the sport's greatest champion, she became the greatest champion of the sport.

"I heard there was gossip that the rhythmic gymnastics will be excluded from the Olympic Games in the future," SEREBRYANSKAYA said. "We are children who do rhythmic gymnastics. We take it seriously. We represent our countries, and like everyone else we come to compete and do the best we can.

"I don't know if that gossip is true or not, but when I was a child, and I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I would say 'an Olympic champion.' Don't take our dream away."

SEREBRYANSKAYA dominated the competition at the University of Georgia Coliseum on the final day of the Centennial Olympic Games. She scored 9.950 on her first three routines, rope, ball and clubs, and also scored the top mark in the ribbon, 9.833, to total 39.683. She was assured of the gold medal as soon as her performance was over. Her lead was so great that none of the remaining competitors could catch her.

"I do not feel that the competition is over," she said. "It has not dawned on me yet. I feel as if I have to go to the floor again tomorrow. For the past four years we have not seen daylight. We are always practicing. Now for awhile, we will take it easy."

At the post-competition press conference, SEREBRYANSKAYA needed no prodding to speak on behalf of her sport. The Olympic champion was gracious to her companions, some of rhythmic gymnastic's most successful and familiar faces, following her victory.

"All the athletes are queens of the sport," SEREBRYANSKAYA said, referring to silver medalist Ianina BATYRCHINA (RUS) and bronze medal winner Elena VITRICHENKO (UKR). "I won the gold here so maybe for now I am the princess of the sport, but this is the most beautiful of sports, and these are my best friends, and we are all queens of the sport."

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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The volunteer staff of the 1996 Olympic Games totaled 50,152. They worked an estimated 850,000 shifts.