GYMN-L Digest - 22 Jul 1996 to 23 Jul 1996 - Special issue

There are 24 messages totalling 631 lines in this issue.

Topics in this special issue:

  1. Mens compos
  2. Yuri Chechi in AA (somewhat of a spoiler)
  3. Predictions for US AA'ers?!?
  4. NBC Coverage
  5. 1988 Olympians (3)
  6. Subject: Mo Huilan and Li Xiaoshuang (2)
  7. O: MAG Team Results
  8. Volunteers & US Men
  9. Olympic comments #863 (2)
 10. careful with replies
 11. US Women AA Standings after Comp.
 12. WAG--NBC--Save me! I can't take it!
 13. weight
 14. MAIL??
 15. MAG and Mihai
 16. American Crowds
 17. NBC-ackkkkkkk!!!!!
 18. weight problem?
 19. NBC sucks!
 20. Various Olympic Stuff

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 15:53:19 +0100
From:    ***@ASUCLA.UCLA.EDU
Subject: Mens compos

Boris Preti scored a 3.00 on Pommels... I think he may have been a little
underscored.. haha...

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 01:59:07 +0200
From:    ***@MICRONET.IT
Subject: Re: Yuri Chechi in AA (somewhat of a spoiler)

>can anyone tell us how
>many of the Italian men did all 6 routines today?  I'm wondering if Chechi
>is in third because only 3 from his country did all 6 routines.

Right, only 3: Chechi, Galli and Preti
========

Carlo

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 20:36:07 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Predictions for US AA'ers?!?

>> I personally think that Strug, Miller, and Dawes are the strongest to
> represent the US in the AA, and I just wanted to know who everyone else
> thinks will be there

Miller, Strug and Dawes.  Moceanu's hurting badly, and I'll bet she'll water
down floor to the same set from Nationals.  I hope she doesn't hurt herself
further.

Mara

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 20:39:16 -0500
From:    ***@PO-BOX.MCGILL.CA
Subject: NBC Coverage

Once again, gymnasts prove themselves above any media self-made experts that
seem to get the job of anchoring a sport they do not understand:

John Tesh, who is known for dwelling on his stupid irrelevant stories, seems
unable to mention Kim Zmeskal's name without reminding everybody that she fell
on comp beam in Barcelona...

Well, Kim sent a clear message on TV last night; people are better listen
because it was worthwhile.  She said that yes the fall on beam was
unfortunate, but it triggered some soul-searching afterward and she had to
assess whether she was in the soprts for the winning and the glory that comes
with medals or because she loves gymnastics... Well, her comeback efforts
speak for her.  She made a valuable comeback and proved to the world that she
is a true role model, a leader in the sport, and an inspiration.  Well above
what John Tesh wants to reduce her to.

Kim Zmeskal is more than the girl who fell on comp beam in Barcelona.

Please, Mr. Tesh, stop insulting the gymnastics community with your
over-simplications of the sports' dynamics and your medal-oriented
narrow-mindness !

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 20:54:44 -0400
From:    ***@CORNELL.EDU
Subject: Re: 1988 Olympians

At 15:43 7/22/96 PST, you wrote:
>I've drawn a blank as to who was on the 1988 women's gymnastics Olympic team. I
>remember Phoebe Mills, Brandy Johnson and Kelly Garrison. I want to say Hope
>Spivey was another, but I can't remember the other two. Please let me know if
>anyone remembers. Thanks!

        Weren't the last three Hope Spivey, Missy Marlowe, and... Rhonda
Faehn?  (Don't blame me, I was twelve at the time :) )

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 21:01:24 EDT
From:    ***@JUNO.COM
Subject: Subject: Mo Huilan and Li Xiaoshuang

What did they do?

I don't remember that I saw anything about those two on nbc?

Subject: Mo Huilan and Li Xiaoshuang

I have a feeling the Chinese government will find new jobs for these two
working on the railroad in a rural province.

I love them both and almost cried when Li's hand went through the ring.

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 21:06:03 -0400
From:    ***@HICOM.NET
Subject: Re: 1988 Olympians

Hi.

The other 1988 Olympians were Melissa Marlowe and Chelle Stack, with Rhonda Fein
being the (ill-fated, thanks to a .5 controversy about remaining on the podium
during Kelly Garrison's compulsory UB routine) Olympic alternate.

Michele

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 21:46:32 -0400
From:    ***@GRFN.ORG
Subject: Re: O: MAG Team Results

YEHAW! I was about to post the same thing, but I got beaten to
it. I just want to say one thing...for all those naysayers that
said the US couldn't compete, for all the people who said they
would drop just like Sabae, for all those who said the US wasn't
worth anything after Olympic trials...TAKE THAT! Way to go US
men!! You do your fans and country and sport proud...

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 21:48:06 -0400
From:    ***@GRFN.ORG
Subject: Re: 1988 Olympians

And, of course, Chelle Stack. RHonda Faehn was the alternate.

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 22:32:00 EDT
From:    ***@PSUVM.PSU.EDU
Subject: Volunteers & US Men

I must say that the people who worked at the Games were absolutely
great.  The GA Dome people were very kind but not pushovers; they did
their job but in a very kind way.  (No easy task...)

Don't know if y'all noticed, but the floor-ex mat had those little
stripe-y things on it...The way that was acheived is that after every
rotation, a volunteer worker dragged one of the light-blue sting mats
across the mat.  Also, one of the nicest touches was the Olympic Rings
that you can faintly see in the corners of the FX mat--after every
rotation, again, a volunteer got down on all fours and tediously traced
a circular "thing" to make the emblem.  These people do the neatest
things...  Just wanted to make sure everyone noticed and that everyone
appreciated the work everyone has been doing.

Also, kudos to the US Men!  They performed well, and as much as people
say they weren't under any pressure, they wanted to prove that they were
deserving Olympians--and they did.  What a contrast to 1992.  This will
surely help US men's gymnastics.  Congrats to everyone involved.

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 12:54:29 +1000
From:    ***@OZEMAIL.COM.AU
Subject: Olympic comments #863

>The media over here is *savaging*
>the nationalism, over-commercialisation and poor organisation of these
>games (most of the criticism aimed at NBC, BTW). I wouldn't want to see
>the gymnastics competition contribute to this trend.

Yes, we're getting a taste of this in Australia as well.

Other comments:

I also thought Bogi was underscored on beam.  9.4 odd?  I didn't see a major
wobble.  Did she miss a move or something?

I think it's wonderful that the Russian men have won the team event.  It
would be fab if the Russian women got the gold as well.

The Australian telecast this morning focused on the Russian and Chinese
teams.  I was surprised at Krukov's score on HB.  9.525 for near perfect
execution and two Gaylords?  No US men were shown, no Scherbo, and just a
couple of Ukrainian men on FX.  I don't think they showed the Aussie guys
earlier, either!

Someone commented that the US women were being treated like princesses.  One
of the Australian commentators mentioned that the team had 8 coaches on the
floor, instead of the allowed 2.  Is this correct?  The general feeling
seemed to be that this was not fair to the other teams.

Simone

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 12:58:25 +1000
From:    ***@OZEMAIL.COM.AU
Subject: careful with replies

I forgot something.

Could everyone please take care when replying to messages?  Especially
people on digests.  I get sick of scrolling through pages of quoted text!

There is really no need to quote someone's ENTIRE (emphasis) message if you
are responding to something.  Have you all heard of cut and paste?  Only
those bits in the message that are relevant to your own message should
ideally be included.  This is particularly important at the moment when it
is extremely busy online.

If we were all a bit considerate to others, the world would be a better
place.  (profound comment for the day!)

:)

Simone

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 23:09:36 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: US Women AA Standings after Comp.

Hi -

There's some predicting about what US women will be in the AA, so I thought
this might help some:

I got these scores from a web site, but I've gone to so many lately, I don't
remember which one anymore.  :)
               Vault     Bars      Beam     Floor    Total
Miller      9.762    9.775    9.737    9.787    39.061
Moceanu   9.662   9.725    9.637    9.750    38.774
Strug       9.812    9.675    9.350    9.825    38.662
Dawes      9.725    9.762   9.425    9.687    38.599
Phelps      9.587    9.712    9.012    9.662   37.973
Borden                               9.312    9.712
Chow        9.700   9.762

As of compulsories, it is the following for each event final (but of course
this can change dramatically during optionals).

Vault - Strug and Miller
Bars - Miller and Daws and Chow (last two being tied)
Beam - Miller and Moceanu
Floor - Strug and Miller

LeeAnn

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 22:21:20 -0600
From:    ***@SUPERNET.AB.CA
Subject: Re: WAG--NBC--Save me! I can't take it!

>Consider yourselves lucky!  NBC seems to be showing a lot more gymnastics
>than SRC/CBC.  I am taping SRC/CBC, and I've been sitting in front of the
>TV for twelve hours straight for the past few days.  They break up the
>gymnastics into little segments of four or five routines, which makes it
>a pain.  SRC seems to be doing the best job so far, but NBC is still
>the best, gymnastics wise.  I have caught some obscure routines which
>might be interesting as well as most of the Canadian routines so far,

I wanted to respond to this because I too have been in front of the tv for
12 hours!!  I also agree that we are going to see more gym from NBC because
their americans will have medal chances.  Whereas CBC is not showing much
because our canadians are not in the medal hunt.

I think that if you see CBC you will see many other countries, but if you
watch NBC you will see many routines, but many american routines.

Kel

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 22:25:52 -0600
From:    ***@SUPERNET.AB.CA
Subject: Re: weight

>As gymnasts, 20-40 hour workouts each week keep body fat extremely low.
>Most top gymnasts to not get their period until they stop training so
>that their bodies may gain the fat and go through the changes that
>happen when girls become women.

I just wanted to comment on my weight when training and after I retired.
When I trained I had huge legs like Kerri Strug, lots of muscle!  I weighed
130 pounds.  But I looked thin.

After I retired, I lost 20 pounds because of the muscle.  I also grew a lot
more.  Wow, I'm over 5'0".  But I think also that the girls weight on the
Russian team seems to be a little thin.

But no matter what everyone says, they seem to be winning.  I am not saying
this to incourage by any means for a gymnast to lose weight.  I never did
and neither did any of my team mates.  Our coach always stressed not to.  No
one over ate either though.

Kel

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 22:31:51 -0600
From:    ***@SUPERNET.AB.CA
Subject: Re: Subject: Mo Huilan and Li Xiaoshuang

>I have a feeling the Chinese government will find new jobs for these two
>working on the railroad in a rural province.
>
>I love them both and almost cried when Li's hand went through the ring.

Isn't it amazing how Li has made some more mistakes in Optionals?  How about
Sherbo making a few too.  But I feel bad for the Chinese team on high bar.

I wonder if Mo will make the AA.  I also wonder if Amanar will make it too.
I really hope because she is turning out to be one of my favourites.

Kel

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 23:43:57 -0600
From:    ***@ZEPHYR.MEDCHEM.PURDUE.EDU
Subject: MAIL??

I haven't recieved any email from the list; everything is person mail to
me that has the same message lines I sent to the list. Anyone else having
problems recieving, since I know my messages are getting through.


Jeff
Dina, Elena, Elena, Eugenia, Oksana, Rozalia, Svetlana!

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 23:53:23 -0500
From:    ***@LULU.ACNS.NWU.EDU
Subject: Re: MAG and Mihai

Hey everyone!

I'm a rare poster on this forum but just wanted to comment on the men's
performance tonight-- I thoroughly enjoyed watching them, and I think it's a
real bummer that the men didn't medal. I don't think they have anything to
be ashamed of AT ALL-- so they didn't medal, that's okay!! They did a lot
better than they have in the past, and I think we could have some real
contenders in the individual events. The competition's far from over, and
who knows what'll happen? We've already seen so many uncharacteristic
mistakes by many of the top gymnasts in both the men's and women's team
comp., you never ever know who might come out either on or towards the top
in the All Around and Event Finals. I for one am truly psyched to see how it
all plays out.

And Mihai, what a HUGELY AMAZING high bar routine! I jumped up on the couch
and cheered when you landed your triple back, even though I was all alone :)
I hope someone saves this so you can read it later-- it's my first official
fan letter.

That's about it-- holding my breath for the women's comp tomorrow. Speaking
of which, does anyone know if there will actually be coverage in the morning
too? I want to make sure I tape it all so that I have good coverage to trade
with friends :)

--Meighan

P.S. What on earth was that godawful fluff piece about the Civil War?? Was
it just me or did that seem to go on FOREVER?!?!?!  :D

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 01:07:45 -0400
From:    ***@KENT.NET
Subject: American Crowds

I was just wondering if any of the Americans on the list were
getting sick of the crowds at the Georgia Dome (and other
venues) chanting "USA USA USA..(ad nauseum)" every two
seconds??????????

I have nothing against the American team, and its great that
they are supported, but I really think the crowd could tone
it down a bit and maybe cheer for some of the other gymnasts
a bit more.

Jordynn

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 01:41:02 -0400
From:    ***@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Olympic comments #863

>Someone commented that the US women were being treated like princesses.  One
of the Australian >commentators mentioned that the team had 8 coaches on the
floor, instead of the allowed 2.  Is this >correct?  The general feeling
seemed to be that this was not fair to the other teams.

There are only 2 US coaches on the competitive floor.  All the athletes
personnal coaches are in the media areas of the Georgia Dome and well within
reach of their athletes.  There is nothing unusal.  You can believe the other
teams have just as many people near the floor as they can.  Are they being
treated like princesses?  Well perhaps, but isn't the US Basketball Team
being treated like a group of Emperors?  The way I understand it, the media
attention is so great on these young ladies, USA Gymnastics has taken ever
opportunity to let these athletes focus on the Games rather than mindless
media attention.  Is it really an honor to be hastled by NBC for an interview
anyway?

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 06:34:19 GMT
From:    ***@PIPELINE.COM
Subject: NBC-ackkkkkkk!!!!!

I have had it . Does anyone know if Frank Endo or USA Gymnastics is going
to offer tapes of the Olympics, so we finally might get to see some of it?
Tonight, the Russian men recaptured the glory of the Soviet system,
complete with difficulty, gorgeous form, and execution, BUT DID WE GET TO
SEE IT?  NO!!!!! Don't Elfie and Tim have any pull around there? It is just
too depressing to be seeing routine after routine by the USA, while craning
my TV neck to try and see the Russians in the backround. Beth, if you're
reading this and know anything about buying tapes of it, PLEASE MAIL ME.

Regards,

Eric

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 23:50:11 -0700
From:    ***@GOODNET.COM
Subject: weight problem?

        Sorry, but like I said, I didn't mean to offend anyone!  I realize
some people are very senstive.
        There's a difference from gaining weight to a "normal" standard,
and being overweight.  If you take a step back and look (with an unbiased
mind) you'll see the weight gain that I'm talking about.  I'm a coach, and
about 60% of the kids I have walk into that gym are over weight!  Let's
face it, are country is getting fat.  Watch t.v. for one hour and count how
many fitness gimmics (ab rollers, health riders, etc.) and commercials you
see.  That's the American businessman capitalizing on the #1 problem in the
U.S.  They're getting rich off of people being overweight!
        Now, as patriotic as I am, I just think that things have gotten too
easy for people nowadays.  Are country is getting lazy!  Just look when you
walk down the street.  I'm not talking about a few pounds here and there,
I'm talking about overweight.  Overweight people are everywhere, and our
country is obsessed with health.  It's all talk, and no show.  I don't
exactly think people should be focusing on their looks and weight so much,
either.  In fact, that's as unhealthy as being overweight.  I just expect
people to stay "in shape", and not obese!
        Joy is right, on the other hand.  You can go too much to the
extreme and encounter anorexia and bolemia (sp?) and that's not healthy
either.  But I don't see an excess of anorexics walking around, as compared
to obesity.  I guess what I'm referring to is that happy medium of not
being fat, and not being anorexic, either.  But just being in shape.  As an
ex-gymnast, you should know the difference between becoming a lady, and
becoming fat.  A few extra pounds are expected, and that's o.k.
        Like I said, look at Mary Lou now.  She looks great!  And she's
been through that "becoming a lady" stage, and back again.  If I'm not
mistaken, I believe she's a mother now, too.  But she looks healthy, true,
not as skinny as if she was competing, but healthy.  That's exactly what
I'm referring to.  You can become a lady, (and even a mother), and still be
fairly in shape.  Puberty is no excuse for letting yourself go.
kovacs

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Date:    Mon, 22 Jul 1996 23:50:17 -0700
From:    ***@GOODNET.COM
Subject: NBC sucks!

        What kind of coverage is this?  This is crap!  I've seen more
gymnastics in a begginer's tumbling class!  Don't get me wrong, the men did
great!  The coverage is terrible!
        First of all, why the hell is John Tesh announcing a sport he knows
absolutely nothing about?  And Tim Dagget would wrather talk about himself
for the 3 hours with the cameras zoomed only on him.  Who is Elfi schlaegal
(sp?)  Is she some big shot in women's gymnastics?  I haven't followed the
women for awhile, so someone please explain.
        I can deal with that- It's the ONE floor routine we see in a 3 hour
show, half the American routines, I feel like after 3 hours, I've only seen
one rotation.  ONE floor routine!  I'm pissed!  I don't know about everyone
else, but you have to agree, that ONE floor routine is a joke!
        We need to all write letters to NBC and complain.... This sucks!
kovacs

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Date:    Tue, 23 Jul 1996 02:18:12 -0500
From:    ***@CARLETON.EDU
Subject: Various Olympic Stuff

1. Victory for all you haters of the cheese.  During Leno's 12 minute
show (and I ask you what is the point of evening bothering with the show
for these two weeks) he made fun of commentators telling every detail of
athlets life.  He imitated an annoucer telling the tragic story of a
cyclists battle with hemeroids and ended the joke by saying "Just let
them compete!"

2. After seeing a profile of the olympic village on CBC and a profile on
the us women's gymnastics accomodations I have this to say. 1) That's a
frat house!  It must be the world's most boring a well behaved frat. 2) I
remember mention of one of Doni Thompson's motivations for quitting the
sport was that she had been to worlds and it was basically the same thing
as the olympics.  This is true from the competion angle, but the olympics
as an experience is so much more.  You get the chance to be with athletes
from all over the world, and not just from your sport.  After seeing
where the Canadian were living I was very impressed with the fun feeling
I got.  We saw the room of two Canadian male swimmers and they had
decorated the room and it looked that they could just be students living
in a dorm.  They also showed the door of Joanne Malar and Shannon
Shakespeare.  They had pictures of them together plastered on the door,
just like many of my floormates had at school.  They went past the tv
lounge and a bunch of Canadian athletes were lounging around watching
what looked like Golden Eye.  I got the impression that being with
everyone gave a great feeling of team spirit ... for the entire national
teams, not just certain sports and also might take the preasure off a
little.  It's important to be focused on your sport, but I just don't
think it can be healthy to not be able to get away from it.  I get the
feeling the US women gymnasts are a little closer this time, but spending
24-7 with the six other girls and a bunch of coaches would get a little
old.  Basically my point is I feel the gymnasts are being a little robbed
of the ture olympic experience ... that which occurs off the competition
floor.

3. It was great to be able to correct my mother when she called it girls
gymnastics ... my justifacation being that five women of the us team are
of or above legal age!

4. My mother and I are in total agreement that white should never be used
as the background color on leotards for the women ... especially in the
croach area.  As much as I love the women, I don't really want to know
what kind of bra they wear.  I swear I could almost make out the writing
on the band around some of the underwear.  The US colors are red, white
and blue.  For once can the suits be red or blue, with some white
decoration.

5. Along the same line whoever designs the suits should really think of
the gymnasts comfort!  Pods looked so uncomfortable in the Ukranian
compulories leotard.  Are rindstones really needed?

6. Okay I'm really confused now!  I was under the impression that one
could still make event finals without competeing all events.  Then
someone mentioned that starting next year people will now be able to make
event finals without competing in each event.  What is the correct rule.
Can Amanda and Amy (or anyother gymnast not competing all the events)
make the event finals assuming they've competed in both the compulories
and optionals on the event?

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End of GYMN-L Digest - 22 Jul 1996 to 23 Jul 1996 - Special issue
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