ACOG - News - IBM

(3 August 1996; Day 15)

Three Favorites Lead the Pack at Rhythmic Gymnastics

The sport of rhythmic gymnastics thrives on youth and fresh faces, but the faces leading the individual competition, although definitely fresh, are also very familiar.

No pre-event list of medal contenders would be complete without mentioning Ianina BATYRCHINA (RUS), Ekaterina SEREBRYANSKAYA (UKR) and Elena VITRICHENKO (UKR), and it is no surprise that these three veterans were the top qualifiers for Sunday's championship finals.

SEREBRYANSKAYA scored an unprecedented three routines of 9.900 or better, easily overcoming a drop in her club routine to finish first in the semifinal round with a total of 39.332.

"It just suddenly happened," said SEREBRYANSKAYA of her miscue with the clubs. "It will not happen tomorrow. Each exercise I do is for the spectators, and I try not to concentrate on a medal, only the exercise."

SEREBRYANSKAYA's credentials include a first at the 1996 European Championships and a second at the 1995 World Championships. In past Worlds she finished fifth (1992, when she was only 14 years old), second (1993) and fourth (1994). One of her top challengers for a gold medal in Atlanta is her teammate, VITRICHENKO.

"Everything is as usual," said SEREBRYANSKAYA. "We will compete tomorrow as we always do."

VITRICHENKO finished second to SEREBRYANSKAYA in the semifinals with a score of 39.266, although she was first in the preliminary round with scores of 9.800 for each of the four events. She placed sixth at the 1996 World Championships as well as in 1995, 1994 and 1993. Her abilities, especially in the ribbon routine, make her a formidable challenger for a medal on Sunday.

"I am happy, but this is not the most important competition," said VITRICHENKO of her preliminary efforts. "The most important competition comes later, in the finals."

Placing third in the semifinals was another well-decorated athlete, Ianina BATRYCHINA of the Russian Federation. At just 16 years of age, BATRYCHINA has already earned a second at the 1996 European Championships and the 1995 World Championships. Her Russian team won the world title in 1995 as well. In Saturday's preliminaries, BATRYCHINA scored consistently, highlighted by a 9.866 with the ball and a 9.850 with the rope to tally 39.232.

"I was less nervous and less afraid today," said BATRYCHINA. "I prepared physically and mentally. I repeated my exercises in my mind without any mistakes. I am ready for tomorrow."

All who expect to win a medal had better be ready for tomorrow. The three front-runners, BATRYCHINA, VITRICHENKO and SEREBRYANSKAYA will be difficult to beat.

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.