Friday, August 15, 2008

Women's Gymnastics

I've paid almost no attention to the Olympics, except for the Opening Ceremony, and a brief glimpse at the Women's Gymnastics team. They looked very healthy and very strong - athletic, for the most part, not balletic. Nevertheless, the balletic one, Nastia Liukin, won the gold, just edging Shawn Johnson:
Johnson and Liukin have been the world's two best gymnasts for two years now, and most expected the teammates would be each other's biggest competition. Johnson came in with all the momentum, winning every matchup with Liukin but one in the last few years.

It was Liukin's grace under pressure, though, that made the difference. It had to, with everything coming down to the very last event, and the last two performers.

"I gave my heart and soul out there today," Johnson said. "Nastia deserved the gold."

Long and lean, Liukin has the elegance and classic lines of her mother, a former world champion in rhythmic gymnastics. While other gymnasts tumble on the floor, their music little more than background noise, Liukin puts on a polished performance. Every wave of her arm and brush of her fingertips oozes emotion, making it easy to forget how tough those tricks in her program really are.

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