Dominique Dawes - 1996 Olympics Team Optionals - Floor Ex

Yes. When Dawes took the floor the Russians knew it was the beginning of the end for their team gold here.

Even with the crowds screaming though, I doubt Russia would have been able to pull it off. They struggled through out the week and where in tears during the morning leading up to the team finals.

They knew that USA and Romania would have to have major meltdowns for them to win gold.

I am shocked they actually won silver, they were just .2 ahead of Romania at the end there.

It certainly seems that there are periods where one particular country dominates. From the 50s to the 80s it was USSR. In 84, it was the US. Then it was the USSR. In the early 90s, it seemed to be the US, with Zmeskal, Miller, Dawes, Okino, Strug and more. After the 96 Olympics, it was Romania, for the Russian team, except Khorkina, had fallen apart. After the 2000 Olympics, it seems that the US pulled itself together, with Patterson, Kupets, Postell, Nastia, Alicia, Chellsie, and Shawn.

It is all peaks and valleys when it comes to this sport.

I really do not think that China will be able to win the worlds or defend the gold in 2012, but you never can tell in this sport. That is not to belittle what China has done, I just think that the Beijing games, gave alot of their girls and coaches something to work towards. Without that focus and goal, I do not think the next four years will be as prosperous for China in women's gymnastics. Then again, I love to be proved wrong about

I completely agree. The Chinese put their best team forward. On the team final they did fantastic, but on the event finals they seemed to fall apart. They are not very strong in terms of all around athletes, but the US excels at producing very good ones. Just look at Carly, Chellsie, Nastia, Jana, and Shawn. I do think that being in one's native country influence the team, like in 2003 Anaheim. The US won gold. Kim won in 1991 in Indianapolis. I hope that the US continues to do well.

In case u haven't noticed, in that quad, everyone did 3 or 4. I swear most of these comments must be from 12 yr old kids. Go study for math class or sumthing, becus so many of u have no idea what ur talking about.