GYMN-L Digest - 21 Jul 1996 to 22 Jul 1996

There are 15 messages totalling 464 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:

1. RESPONSE TO DEAN TYGART'S STORY
2. Gymnastics "yearbook"
3. Question
4. fan emails
5. Mercury emails?
6. Ind. Event Final Question
7. At the Olympics -- Day 3
8. Compuls.
9. WAG: TEAM COMPULSORIES.
10. participant lists; url, Greece, Morocco
11. alternate url for lists
12. Grips?
13. jewelry?
14. From OZ
15. lookalikes, and compulsory comments

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 19:49:02 -0400
From: ***@AOL.COM>
Subject: RESPONSE TO DEAN T'S STORY

I attempted to reply to Dean Tygart's note about his stay in the hospital.
Either I addressed my response incorrectly or it was monitored off the
network. I'd like to share it if it is appropriate:

Dean:

I enjoyed the story about your foot surgery, but I found your surprise that
someone from Michigan would want to "go all the way to Georgia to go to
college," especially a female gymnast, puzzling - especially since you
interact with this discussion group. Since Suzanne Yoculan began coaching
at Georgia in 1984, the University of Georgia has produced the most exciting
collegiate gymnastics in the country, throwing Olympic-level difficulty, with
the added elegance brought by mature gymnasts, . Because of the excellent
collegiate environment, outstanding coaching and facilities, average
attendance at meets exceeding eight thousand, and an impressive record (eight
consecutive NCAA Regional Championships, five of the past six Southeast
Conference Championships, three NCAA National Championships ETCETERA) Georgia
has been able to attract several outstanding gymnasts from Michigan. Among
them are Heather Stepp, NCAA champion on floor and vault (twice); Leslie
Angeles, NCAA champion on floor; and Lisa Kurc, an outstanding 4.0 student-
athlete, who will join Leslie as a senior leader this year.

Georgia's team traditionally performs the most difficult routines of any team
No collegiate coach in the country would argue otherwise. Unfortunately the
current collegiate scoring system fails to give credit to gymnasts who
perform difficult routines. The current system is analogous to putting the
bar in high-jumping at five feet and not raising it or giving credit to a
seven-foot jumper for jumping more than five feet. Even so, at the end of the
1996 regular season, GymDogs managed to hold 14 top-ten national rankings in
four events, as many as were compiled by gymnasts from the next four teams
combined. During the year, freshman Karin Lichey scored the first "Perfect
40" all-around in the history of gymnastics. These are some of the reasons
top-level gymnasts like to come to Georgia.

I should add that Michigan gymnasts who want to stay in the state have two
excellent choices in Michigan and Michigan State. The Wolverines perform
some great routines themselves and have contended for the National
Championship the past two years. The Spartans are also rising rapidly.
Georgia helped fill the gym at Michigan this past season, enjoyed hosting
Michigan State in Athens, and we are looking forward to a visit from the
Wolverines on March 8, 1997. The two states are enjoying an exciting,
friendly, and wholesome rivalry in women's gymnastics. I suspect that Coach
Yoculan would welcome more gymnasts from Michigan like Heather, Leslie, and
Lisa.

For more information on Georgia Gymnastics try:
http://www.sports.uga.edu/gymnastics/index.html

Since you will be in school in Tennessee, which unfortunately doesn't have a
women's collegiate gymnastics team in the state, check the 1997 schedule at
the web site listed above and come down to enjoy the excitement. On March 8
you can see lots of Michigan gymnasts, some on each team.

Thanks for the chance to blow some smoke.

Bill Donaldson

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 19:52:00 EDT
From: ***@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject: Gymnastics "yearbook"

In regard to what Jeff said about not knowing who is who on the
lesser-known teams... I too would love a gymnastics yearbook of sorts,
and I remember that on the back of a poster that was in IG (after one of
the Wrodl Championships of '83, '85, or '87) they had a headshot of
every gymnast that competed with their names underneath. Do you think
we could con IG into doing something like this again? I really need it,
especially with all of the gymnasts who came out of the USSR breakup...I
still don't know who so many of them are.

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 20:02:00 EDT
From: ***@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject: Question

Is the men's US gymnastics team staying in the Olympic Village?

In regard to the US women's team, I think that they are not really doing
the Olympics the right way. It's not just about competition in
gymnastics--it's about so much more, and I coudl say so much. I love
American gymnastics--make no mistake about that. But they are being
treated like princesses with all these special privileges not allotted
to the rest of the firld. I would resent that, too, if I were on
another team. It just is not fair, and in my mind, has spoiled some of
the Olympic Spirit I had hoped to see. I'm just glad to see that the
other teams do know this spirit. I'm glad the US is bonding as a
team--lord knows they needed to--but do they need a private house, a
private gym, a private chef, and all of that extra stuff to bond? I
don't think so.

I'm just disappointed.

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 22:10:49 EDT
From: ***@JUNO.COM
Subject: fan emails

someone asked about how to write emails to the olympians?

well, i just find a site to do so. but i don't know if it works or not?

http://www.fanmail.olympic.ibm.com

try it. :)

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 22:10:49 EDT
From: ***@JUNO.COM
Subject: Mercury emails?

I think that i was the one who told you all about the free olympic news
emails?

Well, i haven't got any emails from them today?

How about others?

If you don't know where that is. it is at

http://www.merc.com

anyone?

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 23:00:14 -0400
From: ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Ind. Event Final Question

I hope somebody can answer this question for me. To qualify for an
individual event final, does the gymnast also have to have qualified for the
all-around competition? In other words, can a gymnast who finishes with the
fourth or fifth highest all-around score for the USA still qualify for an
event final even though they won't be in the all-around competition. The TV
commentators never seem to explain that and I'd sure like to know. Thanks!
Janet

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 23:55:16 -0400
From: ***@AOL.COM
Subject: At the Olympics -- Day 3

To All:
You know the song "YMCA" by the Village People?
Well, today, I taught a group of Koreans how to dance and do the hand
signals to it. And we may end up on national television for it.
(laughing)
That was just one aspect of my past two days at the Olympics. It has
been a wonderful mixture of funny stories, glorious moments and, yes, a
little bit of aggravation.
Here they are. I begin each new "experience" with an asterisk.
**In the NASA exhibit, you get to walk through a mock-up of what the
planned space station will be like. During our tour, the guide showed us the
space-age bathroom and how it worked. As we went on to the next part of the
tour, we heard the door behind us make a "shoosh" noise as it closed.
Apparently, a child had to use the bathroom and wanted to go where,
well, no child had gone before.
The mom turned red with embarrassment, opened the door and yanked the
kid out.
**I went to weightlifting finals for the 130-pound folks today. It was
general admission, and I ended up sitting in a sea of Koreans. They were an
utter blast and handed out Korean head-bands to everybody in their section.
There were no Americans in the competition, so I began cheering for the
Koreans. I started yelling what they were yelling but really had no idea what
I was yelling.
Then, at intermission, they began playing "YMCA" by the Village People.
All the Americans in the place jumped up and started dancing. I coaxed the
Koreans out of their seats and began gesturing to them. Before long, they
were doing the hand signals. NBC turned their cameras to us, and we showed up
on the big screen. I m wondering if I made it on television.
**When the weightlifter from China lifted the world record, he knew he
had just broken the world record and continued to hold the weight over his
head for 10 whole seconds. His coach ran out onto the podium, laughing,
telling him to drop the weight. The weightlifter did, then began hugging his
coach.
Of course, if it was gymnastics and a coach ran out onto the floor after
a great routine, the gymnast likely would be penalized or disqualified. What
a shame.
**Here s something the gymnastics federation should take note of. You
know how people walk in the aisles or walk on the floor in front of you
during a routine? Well, at weightlifting, the ushers would not allow anybody
to stand up or walk in front of people during a lift. Some people did, and
security immediately ran over and told them to drop to their knees until the
lift was over.
**A few months ago, I ordered an Olympic brick that is to be placed in
the Olympic park. I paid $35 for the brick. When I went to find my brick
today, I waited in a half-hour-long line to use the computer that would tell
me where my brick is located. When I typed in my name, I got the following
message:
"That brick is not yet installed."
I turned to the attendant with shock on my face. He then went on to tell
me that Atlanta never got all the bricks placed in time. In fact, he said,
several thousand will be placed in the walkways AFTER the Olympics.
Can you believe that? I paid for my brick to be place in the walkway FOR
the Olympics, and I and thousands of others were gyped.
**On a finally, funny note, I rode back on a crowded bus to the parking
lot. The first funny thing happened when the bus driver got lost. Yep, he got
lost. A half-hour ride turned into a 90-minute ride. We all joked that we got
the scenic tour.
I sat next to a woman who is a judo judge. She was telling me all about
her experiences. Her two kids were there, and her kids were showing me their
calloused fingers and toes from doing judo.
She told me that her kids love judo, but sometimes that love of judo
gets her in trouble. Whenever their grandmother visits, the kids want to show
off for her. Eventually, one of her kids will come up to her and ask:
"Mom, can I pin Grandma?"
( Ron in Atlanta
(

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 22:12:57 -0600
From: ***@SUPERNET.AB.CA
Subject: Compuls.

What a shock. Amanar falling, Phelps, Mo's problems, and Liu X, that was
amazing. But talk about overscoring on Bogi's bars...I mean that was an
extra swing in the routine. Nice save but I figured at least in the 9.1
area. Same with Mo on Bars

I was impressed with the Russian Team. Nice vaults. Everyone stuck them it
looked like. I am glad we never have to hear that comp music again!!!!!
Nice to see Onodi again. She looks a lot older. The romainans need to hold
on. They looked a little caustious though. I think Marines. was really
great on beam.

However, I want to COMPLAIN about not seeing one Canadian performance. I
just saw them in the back ground.

Anyways, I can't wait until All-round. It will be interesting now that some
of the top girls seem to be out at the moment.

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 23:44:15 -0600
From: ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: WAG: TEAM COMPULSORIES.

Well, well, well. A team which no one counted on (save a few of us) is
in first place now. I was cheering so loud and I was so happy. Plus, the
sight and sound of Grosheva screaming 'YES" after her vault score was
so exciting! I wish I could have been there in the dome to scream out
'Go Lena, Go Sveta,' and of course, 'Go Rosa and Go Dina.'

I am so psyched. I can't wait for optionals.


BTW: Dom's injury question still bugs me. She didn't stick on V, UB or BB.
Is she just playing it safe or is it nerves. A few other things,



Hghest Scores:


V: Gogean, Milo, Galieva (9.837)
UB: Amanar (9.850)
BB: Miller (9.737)
FX: Pods (9.85) [with Ludmilla giving her a 9.90.


All these scores plus so other info can be found at the ACOG WWW site located

at:

http://www.atlanta.olympic.org/acog/sports/gymnastics


Check it out.



Oh yes, in case you were wondering, Dina is Fourth on Ub and BB. Just wanted
to tell you hat I did look for her results!
and any Bogi fans would be happy to know that she is actually in 9th place
on FX so if she does well in IB, she may make EF. Plus, she is in a 3 way
tie for 9th on V. Sadly, Oksana Chutosvitina is in 26th place on her event (and
father back [32nd] on FX). This is too bad. No AA placements listed yet.

Jeff

Dina, Dina, Dina.

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Date: Mon, 22 Jul 1996 00:59:59 -0400
From: ***@EROLS.COM
Subject: participant lists; url, Greece, Morocco

The official site seems to have most, if not all, of the names up, at the
following url (it's the results page, if I remember correctly, but includes
no results - just links to breakdowns of who was to compete in each rotation
of the team competition (including individuals; the Moroccan I have been
searching for a name or info on is Naima El Rhouati):

http://results.atlanta.olympic.org/cgi-bin/db2cgi/results/GA/navigation_sport_GA
.d2w/report?event=NAGAW4000uu&type=Team

Someone asked about the Greek team -- the list is Georgia Tempou, Ekaterini
Mamouti, Kyriaki Firinidon, Virginia Karentzou, Constantina Margariti,
Vasiliki Tsavdaridou, and Kyriaki Papanikolaou.

A number of folks have listed the members of the Russian team; who were the
two tiny, gaunt-looking ones (the smallest looked ill!) whose routines were
never shown? Does anyone know anything about them? (Lest this comment feed
a Russians-look-undernourished thread, though, the team as a whole looked
healthy to me (on tv) -- just lanky in build, like (very short) distance
runners, or like U.S. swimmer Tom Dolan).

-- Ann

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Date: Mon, 22 Jul 1996 01:01:59 -0400
From: ***@EROLS.COM
Subject: alternate url for lists

Actually, I should probably have typed in this one:
http://results.atlanta.olympic.org/cgi-bin/db2cgi/results/GA/pick_event_GA.d2w/r
eport?event=PEGAxeeepuu

It was one leap backward in generality, and so allows you to get to the
men easily, as well.

-- Ann.

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 22:03:42 -0700
From: ***@GOODNET.COM
Subject: Grips?

Just wanted to say that I think it's pretty cool and tough of the
girls performing on bars without any grips! I'm impressed!
Also, strug impressed me tonight, anyone else?

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Date: Sun, 21 Jul 1996 22:05:07 -0700
From: ***@GOODNET.COM
Subject: jewelry?

I know as a national Men's Judge, male gymnasts get deducted for
wearing jewelry- obviously not for the women as seen today. Any comments?

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Date: Mon, 22 Jul 1996 15:47:35 +1000
From: ***@JCU.EDU.AU
Subject: From OZ

Hi gymners, Id like to say I'm enjying the gym, that is if we get a chance
to see it. I'm so disappointed with our coverage! I stayed glued to the tv
for 13 hours for a whole 55mins in total, much of that commentators
babble. Routines we have seen are 1 Romanian Bar, 1 Aussie Beam, 2 Aussie
floors, 1 from Morrocco, 2 from spain, 3 from the US, 2 china,2 belarus, 1
ukraine, 2 france, 7-8 from russia, and a couple of others.

Some observations from the little ive seen

RUSSIA , what can you say, 6 stuck vaults! they look determined

US, only saw Miller and Moceanu on beam and dawes on bar. I was impressed
with Miller, wonderful rythmn and control. And Moceanu, that was excellent
esp the control after the c/wheel.

Biggest disapointment, Boginskaya's beam score! I watched others with
wobbles and nothing like her bodylines and presence get scores similar to
her. I suspect that she may have missed her tumbling sequence, ie not
connected????? Can someone who judges let me know!

Well can anyone round the world, especially in Britain or ANOTHER COUNTRY
WHO USES
PAL FORMAT, let me know if your coverage is better. I will desperatly be
seeking out videos which Im happy to swap with copies of mine, I have over
92 to choose from, or to pay for tape and postage from any corner of the
world.


Hoping very much, coverage will improve!!

Regards
Sharyn

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Date: Mon, 22 Jul 1996 18:20:56 +1000
From: ***@OZEMAIL.COM.AU
Subject: lookalikes, and compulsory comments

>Look-alikes: Cecile Canqueteau looks like Gutsu.

I think Annika Reeder looks more like Gutsu.

And I don't know why the media says Dominique Moceanu looks like Nadia.
Haven't they heard of Claudia Rusan?

Back to the competition..

I was pleasantly surprised to see the renewed strength of the Russian team.
I got to see all of them vault - beautiful, esp Galieva.

Haven't seen any of the US girls yet, but I believe Shannon Miller did
particularly well?

The Australian telecast only showed one Romanian - Gogean on bars. This was
because they were in the same rotation as the Aussie girls, who I thought
did well. Jenny Smith possibly slightly underscored on floor.

I thought Bogie looked nervous just before her beam dismount. We got a
close up of her face and she was visibly shaking.

Henrietta Onodi is still as stunning as ever (according to my husband! :) )
Hopefully we'll get to see her compete.

Looks like the gold medal (WAG) will be a fight between USA, Russia and
Romania - but they will have to get their act together. What happened to
the Chinese? Mo on bars! Aargh!

Onto optionals!

:)

Simone

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 21 Jul 1996 to 22 Jul 1996
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