Lilia Podkopayeva 1996 Olympics AA Reaction

[cotynita]

It still kills me that KISS ON THE MOUTH....It`s really strange for me!

[ImmortalSynn]

@cotynita

Then perhaps it's time for you to grow....

[tomsk14]

@cotynita Well grow up.... its a slavic cultural thing.... The chinese always shook hands which I thought was really cold.... Its what makes our cultures and styles different, what makes gymnasts so beautiful and what makes the world go round so PLEASE try to get over it.

[andreak1013]

To all of you bashing Carly Patterson....how would you PREFER she "acknowledged" her gymnastics past? I've seen her commentating on a handful of gymnastics competitions recently; would you prefer she wore her medal and leotard everywhere she goes as not to upset her fans from 7 years ago? 7Millionaire7 couldn't have said it better.

[Missnewyork28]

I love how Bogui and Podkopayeva hug, it's so cute ! Great sportmanship :)

[lilypod3]

I think that Lilia is one of the most memorable Olympic AA champion! ♥ her!!!!!

[PLANETIMAGE1]

Lilia BEATED Khorkina in the 1996 Olympic AA, 1995 World AA, and 1996 European AA,but many people still think Khorkina is better?? Lilia didn't stay in gymnastics as long as Khorkina,but she proved to be better than any other competitors like Svetlana Khorkina!!

[Padmepotter4986]

"Better" is very subjective. Svetlana's bars set was far more impressive than Lilia's but I think Lilia was better on the floor. If we're looking at medals, Lilia has one world championship title whereas Svetlana has two. Svetlana also has more Olympic medals and World medals than Lilia. However, the best Svetlana could do in the Olympic AA was second. Lilia took the crown. When you grow up, you will learn why someone can say a gymnast is better. It is a very subjective sport.

[getnasty08]

It still kills me that Mo didn't win gold. But such is the nature of gymnastics, nothing counts except what you bring on the day, and on this day, Lilia earned her gold medal. I'm seeing a trend here actually, I wanted Khorkina to win so bad in 2004 and she came second... :(

[NeoSalazaar]

Hmmm first reigning world champion to win gold in the olympics for a while? you mean the position is cursed...I hope so this year....i don't want another apple pie sweet as honey all american to win AGAIN...then walk off the gymnastics scene with her gold never to be seen doing anything noteworthy in gymnastics again.

[KarenLovesGymnastics]

Carly Patterson made gymnastics robotic, then walked away. Arg......can't believe I used to like her.

[caramelcreamsauce]

Carly couldn't help it, she had bulging disks in her back. She tried acupuncture and everything else to fix it but she could never go back to doing gymnastics like she used to.

[KarenLovesGymnastics]

I didn't know that. Well, I still don't like her gymnastics.

[MargaretLeighh]

@KarenLovesGymnastics She's trying to make a music career now and doesn't even acknowledge her gymnastics past... Such a shame >.<

[TuesdayPillow]

I believe a Chinese gymnast will take the AA this year. USA will win team, however.

[Darkangel127]

It's possible, but I believe it'll be the other way round: China for team, USA for AA. But nothing is over till it's over. Let's wait...

[AnnaPavlovaFan]

Ha, ha! Your prediction came true!

[tomsk14]

Lol looks like your prediction was the wrong way round.

[TuesdayPillow]

Haha yes and I'm glad it was. About 2 months prior to the Olympics I started thinking "You know, I think Nastia is going to take it. I think her dad has a plan to peak her at JUST the right time ..."

[VaveAma92]

Haha very nice. Usa will get it next time.. I hope. I'm trying to think of all the 16 year old gymnasts who could be going knowing that if they win team gold, the first team gold came the year they were born. I dunno, it would be really cool.

Oh, and I love Lilia. Finally another ballerina!

[7Millionaire7]

All-Around Olympic Gold is one of the pinnacles if not THE pinnacle of the sport for a lot of gymnasts. Once achieved, maybe they want to stop slaving away in the gym everyday?