American Nastia Liukin has won the Olympic gold medal in the inidividual all-around, clinching the title with a beautiful performance in the floor exercise to put away a stiff challenge from China's Yang Yilin.
The long-awaited showdown pitting Liukin and Team USA's Shawn Johnson with China's Yang and Jiang Yuyuan looked at times like it would be marred by a judging controversy, but Liukin was superb on the balance beam to enter the floor exercise with a tiny lead over Yang, and sublime on the floor to take it out of the judges' hands. Johnson took the silver, Yang took the bronze and Jiang was never really in it after falling her dismount on the vault.
Born in Moscow to parents who were stars in the powerful Soviet gymnastics program, Liukin came to America as a child and has been preparing for tonight her entire life. Now she joins Mary Lou Retton and Carly Patterson as the only Americans to win the Olympic all-around gold medal.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-15-2008 @ 1:15AM
springboy said...
Thank goddness the judges came thru. The girls did GREAT...
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8-15-2008 @ 1:39AM
George B Vieto said...
Three cheers for Nastia Liuikin for her Olympic gold medal performance. It is truly her finest hour and her commitment to excellence.
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8-15-2008 @ 1:40AM
rob said...
Congrats to Nastia on a wonderful performance. Very graceful and deserving Champion. It was a Very SPECIAL Sight on the podium to see both Nastia and Shawn Johnson be given medals, and a crowning achievement in US Gymnastics. What a GREAT Day in US Gymnastics.....loved it!
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8-15-2008 @ 1:41AM
ThoThoDang said...
So the NBC is lying by saying they'll broadcast the Women Gymnastic All-around live?
Now we've already known the result and the NBC says they'll show it live in 30 minutes!!!
NBC
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8-15-2008 @ 7:02AM
AL GRANDE said...
TOTHE USA GYMNASICTICS TEAM , THERE IS A PHRASE" YOU HAVE A HEART OF GOLD " . WELL , YOU DON'T NEED THE METALTO SAY JUST THAT . THE GIRLS, WOMEN TEAM . HAD SHOWED HEART , NEVER GIVING UP. I AM PROUD TO SEE LIFE DREAMS FOR ALL . THE ATHLETES, ALL SHOW WHAT AMERICA IS ABOUT . HAVE FUN, BE THE BEST YOU CAN , AND AGAIN , HAVE FUN AL GRANDE
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8-15-2008 @ 7:34AM
darlene c. roveland said...
YEEEEHAAAA!!!!!!! YOU GO TEXAS GAL!!! SO PROUD OF YOU BOTH. CONGRADULATIONS ON BRINGING HOME THE GOLD AND SILVER.
GOD BLESS BOTH OF YOU.
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8-15-2008 @ 8:18AM
PopPOp said...
Way to go Nastia and Shawn.. This IS what USA is all about NEVER GIVING UP ....... AND ALWAYS TRYING TO DO YOUR BEST.......USA USA USA ! Gold & Silver Girl ------ no Women 2008 Olympic Gymnastic Champions of the world!
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8-15-2008 @ 3:05PM
ELisa said...
I'd like to congratulate our Gold, Silver and The Chinese Bronze Medalists for their excellent performancees in the Women's all around gymnastic events. I also liked the Russian's floor ex routine very much.
I do have concern, not about concussions, but maybe vertigo in the Team competitions. They were mastering the difficult technical movements with superiority but were missing some of the simpler movements. Is the Committee requiring so much difficulty in the level of stunts that the body doesn't have time to recover due to vertigo and the body can't spot the simpler pirouettes and balancing moves? I like the difficult stunts but I also liike the dance movements. I think there should be a build up and cool down period so the body can adjust because becing in an inverted position can produce vertigo.
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8-15-2008 @ 3:43PM
Lia said...
My tivo stopped short right before the award ceremony! Does anyone know where I might find this video on the internet? I searched everywhere.
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8-16-2008 @ 1:10AM
James said...
Hot pink??!! I respect her talent and amazing accomplishment but a hot pink leotard?? I know it was an individual all-around but the Olympics is all about representing your country. I thought her wardobe choice was tacky and disrespectful.
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8-16-2008 @ 8:13PM
Mr.Johnson said...
Shawn Johnson Is The Most Beautifull Thing In Thw World!!
No Matter How Good She Does Out There!....She Is Alway's Gonna Be #1 In My Heart! If i had a chance to be with her...i would make her feel like a gold medalist every day =]
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8-17-2008 @ 9:49PM
Mr.Johnson said...
Shawn Johnson Is The Most Beautifull Thing In Thw World!!
No Matter How Good She Does Out There!....She Is Alway's Gonna Be #1 In My Heart! If i had a chance to be with her...i would make her feel like a gold medalist every day =]
I Hope I Can Find Away To ConTact Her! =]
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8-17-2008 @ 9:51PM
jordan A.K.A (Mr.Johnson) said...
PLEASE READ!!!! MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!!
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8-18-2008 @ 4:12PM
jordan A.K.A (Mr.Johnson) said...
PLEASE READ!!!! MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!!
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8-18-2008 @ 4:15PM
jordan from San Diego California AKA MR.JOHNSON said...
PLEASE READ.....IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME!!!!!!!!!
I Cant believe that you might actually read!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
let me start off by saying congradulations on you silver medals!...i thought you should i f got the gold! =]
IAM NOT A STALKER!!!...I PINKY PROMISE =)
Im A 15 Yr's OLD
im a Sophmore At Clairemont Senior High School
i love sports to!!!!!!!!
im on the:
football team
soccer team
basketball team
water polo team
and the swim team!!
DONT MAKE FUN OF ME BUT!!!!!!.........
WHEN IM IN THE WORKOUT ROOM!
EVERY TIME I LIFT A WEIGHT I SAY A LETTER IN YOUR NAME....AND I WONT STOP UNTIL I HAVE SPELLED SHAWN MACHEL JOHNSON!!
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8-20-2008 @ 4:11PM
Erik said...
Well now Shawn has her own G O L D
WOOOHOOOO, she is the most animated and expressive out there, while Nastia has her own strengths. GO USA!!!
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