|
|
|
 |
|
|
U.S. women lead the way Dawes, Moceanu carry U.S. hopes in Goodwill Games gymnastics
Posted: Sunday July 19, 1998 11:02 AM
NEW YORK (CNN/SI) -- Two years ago in Atlanta, the United States women's gymnastics team surprised the field, grabbed the Olympic gold medal, and stole the hearts of the American public. They quickly became known as the Magnificent Seven, with their visages appearing on Wheaties boxes and morning shows. But the seven have gone their separate ways. Kerri Strug, who gutted out a crucial vault and needed to be carried onto the victory stand, broke away first, cashing in on her individual fame and going to college. Shannon Miller, who carried American gymnastics when more famed members faltered, has retired from the sport while the others drifted back to anonymity. Only the two Dominiques, Dawes and Moceanu, will head the American cause at next week's Goodwill Games in New York. Dawes is making a comeback after retiring and will participate in the mixed pairs competition. After the 1996 Olympics, the woman teammates and fans call 'Awesome Dawesome' tried her hand at acting, appearing on Broadway in 'Grease' and showing up in the Prince music video, 'Betcha By Golly Wow'. Unfortunately, Dawes return to gymnastics has not earned rave reviews. She came in eighth in the all-around competition at this year's American Classic in Orlando and finished fifth in the uneven bars, tied for 11th on the balance beam, and tied for 17th on the floor exercise. However, she did tie for first in the vault. Moceanu will be competing in her first major event this year in the all-around. Since becoming the youngest national champion ever at the age of 13 in 1995, Moceanu has had just one success -- as a member of the Magnificent Seven. She has flopped since failing to claim an individual medal in any of the three events she entered since the Olympics. She and Dawes, along with national champion Vanessa Atler, Sierra Sapunar, Elise Ray, Kendall Beck, Kristen Maloney, Jamie Dantzscher, and Jeanette Antolin, will need to produce their best efforts against strong world competition such as 1997 world Champion and Olympic gold medalist Svetlana Khorkina of Russia, 1998 American Cup champion Viktoria Karpenko of Ukraine, and the usual dominant Romanian contingent. Many of the men that made such a strong impression in Atlanta are back with two-time U.S. and NCAA champion Blaine Wilson anchoring the squad. However, look for the podiums to be filled with two-time world all-around champion Ivan Ivankov of Belarus, world and Olympic champion Alexei Namov of Russia, and Huang Xu of China. The women will compete in five events while the men participate in seven in addition to the 'mixed' team event.
| |||||||||||||||||
Copyright © 1999 CNN/SI. A Time Warner Company. Terms under which this service is provided to you.
| |||||||||||||||||
