Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson Win Gold & Silver Medals
Not to be outdone by those guys in the pool at the Water Cube at this year’s Olympic Summer Games, the US ladies aren’t doing too shabby themselves. Last night (today in China), US gymnasts/teammates/friends Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson took home the Gold and Silver Medals respectively in the Women’s All-Around Gymnastics Final. Nastia becomes on the third US Olympic Gymnast to win the Gold Medal in this event … the very same event that America’s Sweetheart Mary Lou Retton won at the 1984 Olympic Summer Games which were held here in Los Angeles, CA:
No runner-up finish to her friend and rival this time. Nastia Liukin won the biggest prize of all. Liukin edged teammate Shawn Johnson for the all-around gold in women’s gymnastics Friday in an intense matchup that lived up to its billing at the Beijing Games. Liukin finished with 63.325 points, a mere six-tenths ahead of Johnson, the reigning world champion who beat Liukin at the U.S. championships and Olympic trials only a few weeks ago. Yang Yilin of China won the bronze. “I don’t think it’s really set in, but I feel like this journey has been so long,” Liukin said. Made even longer by having to wait for Johnson to follow her on the floor exercise. Liukin paced back and forth while Johnson, the final competitor, completed her performance, clapping as her teammate floated high in the air. In the end, it was Liukin who soared. When Johnson’s score was posted and Liukin realized she won, tears filled her eyes. Her father and coach Valeri grabbed her in a bearhug, squeezing her tight for several minutes. Valeri Liukin was a double gold medalist for the Soviet Union 20 years ago, but came up achingly short in a rivalry with his own teammate in the all-around. There would be no such disappointment for his only child. “It’s not possible to describe how proud I am,” he said afterward. Liukin wore a smile that lit up her face as she climbed atop the medals podium and waved to the crowd. She blinked back tears as the gold medal was placed around her neck, but let them flow when the U.S. anthem began to play. “Standing on the podium and hearing `Olympic champion’ next to my name was a dream come true,” Liukin said. “Everything pays off at this very moment” … But this was no surprise. 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.”
These ladies are class acts, much congrats to them both for their stellar performances. I’m sure the ladies were disappointed when they had to content themselves with the Silver Medal in the Women’s Gymnastics Team event earlier this week but they’re prolly feeling much better about themselves today. It’s amazing how much the Olympic Games can lift one’s spirits as spectators … despite having nothing whatsoever to do with the athleticism that goes on in the Olympic Games, I can’t help but feel a bit of pride at the achievements by the US Olympic athletes. It’s great that the World can, generally, come together for 2 weeks every 2 years to share this great experience. Go Team USA … we’re all rootin’ for y’all :)
Tags: Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, Nastia Liukin, Shawn Johnson, Women's All-Around Gymnastics Final
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August 15th, 2008 at 9:07 am
i grew up doing gymnastics for years!! although i never made it as far as these gals, its so much fun watching them! they did great!! & i wish they’d have more info on the ages of the chinese team…makes one wonder!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 9:24 am
I watched this last night! I swear the olympics make you so proud to be an american. I love them. We truly do love in an awesome country and the American women kicked those Chinese 13 year old butts. I loved it!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 10:25 am
YEAH!!!!!
August 15th, 2008 at 10:34 am
uhm china’s timezone is ahead of america. So yea Last night (today in China) dont make sense. The games are at 10am on thursday, its 7pm on wednesday californian time. So yea ^^
August 15th, 2008 at 10:46 am
it’s every 4 years. not every 2 years.
and that was a great watch.
August 15th, 2008 at 10:55 am
It’s a shame no brits won, but those two were amazing when I watched some of the gymnastics last weekend.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Winter Olympics are in 2 years. Hot snowboarders. Can’t wait.
August 15th, 2008 at 11:58 am
right, the Olympics have been broken up from 4 years apart to 2 years apart with Summer and Winter games alternating … Winter Games 2010 in Vancouver, BC — next Summer Games in 2012 in London, England
August 15th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
aww i love shawnn shes so adorable
August 15th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Such a great competition….very glad Nastia won…I was worried when they gave her that crap score for vault…what was that about?
August 15th, 2008 at 3:57 pm
It’s every 4 years. Correct it, Trent.
BTW, I’m sure those Chinese girls are underage. and yes, they can modified their birthday on their passport.
August 15th, 2008 at 5:53 pm
There is an Olympics every two years. It alternates between winter and summer. The next Olympics is in Vancouver(winter) followed by London in 2012(summer). I hope this clears up any discrepencies…..
August 15th, 2008 at 8:23 pm
Does anyone know why only there were two Americans competing for the individual and not the whole team?
I felt so bad for Alicia Sacarmone who messed up in the team competition.
August 16th, 2008 at 3:38 am
Paz..only the gymnasts who competed in all 4 apparatuses in the qualification round and have high enough scores can compete in the all-around. I believe Alicia Sacramone did not compete in bars.
August 16th, 2008 at 4:53 am
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August 16th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Yeah, too bad our team took the silver because China had TWELVE-YEAR-OLDS out there. Their government and officials are a bunch of dirty cheaters and I have no respect for that backwards-ass country, lying to the world, hogging all the fuel and procreating out of control. But yay for them and their corrupt victory. If every country sent whomever their best athletes were, regardless of the rules, who knows what would happen?!
August 16th, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Only 2 gymnasts from each country can compete in the individual all around. So that’s why only shawn and nastia were competeting from the USA.
August 16th, 2008 at 10:23 pm
NASTIA!!!<3
August 17th, 2008 at 2:27 am
Kyle is right Paz..I retract my statement LOL..I don’t know how I got that confused. It’s top 25 with a maximum of 2 per country.
August 19th, 2008 at 9:11 am
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August 20th, 2008 at 11:43 pm
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