ACOG - News - IBM

(19 July 1996)

Men's Compulsories Open Gymnastics Competition

When competition opens in gymnastics at the 1996 Olympic Games, taking center stage will be the men's compulsory program. While the compulsories will go a long way in determining which teams will win medals in 1996, don't look for them again at the Olympic Games in the year 2000. Starting in 1997, major international competitions will include only the Optional Programs.

"I'm not sorry they are going," said Germany's Andreas WECKER of the departing compulsories. "I prefer the optionals because I can really train for what I what to do and perfect the moves I enjoy doing."

Of the top six teams at the 1995 World Championships, three will compete in the third session Saturday: China, Russia, and Ukraine. The latter two teams once competed together with the USSR and would be considered the favorite if still competing together.

But they're not, opening up the competition for the favorites, China and Japan, which placed first and second at the 1995 World Championships. The Chinese are in search of their first team Olympic gold medal. LI Xiaoshuang, the 1995 world all-around champion, and HUAG Huadong lead the team from China.

Japan, which placed second at the World Championships, has won the bronze medal in three straight Olympic competitions. The Japanese will compete in Saturday's second session, going head-to-head Korea and the team with the crowd on its side, the United States.

Belarus also will share the competition floor with Japan in the second session. Belarus placed sixth at the World Championships and will be relying heavily on defending Olympic all-around champion Vitaly SCHERBO after his teammate, current world all-around champion Ivan IVANKOV, was forced to withdraw because of a torn Achilles tendon in his right leg.

"Well boys, now we must work not only for ourselves, but for Ivan as well," said SCHERBO to his teammates following the announcement of IVANKOV's injury.

The first session includes the Romanian team, which placed third at the 1995 World Championships. The Romanian teams is led by Dan BURINCA. Competition begins at 9:15 on Saturday, 20 July.

This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department. Written by Theresa Kelly-Gegen.



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