Hometown boy does good

Long Island's Lamorte is golden on the rings

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Posted: Thursday July 23, 1998 02:13 AM

Lamorte posted a 9.700 as the second competitor on the rings

UNIONDALE, New York (AP) -- Long Island native Chris Lamorte and Kristin Maloney of Pen Argyl, Pennsylvania, captured Goodwill Games gold medals in the rings and balance beam Wednesday night, giving the United States four gymnastics golds.

Lamorte, from Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, about 50 miles from the Nassau Coliseum where the competition was held, posted a 9.700 as the second competitor on the rings.

His score stood up through six more gymnasts, threatened but not topped by all-around winner Ivan Ivankov of Belarus and Alexei Bondarenko of Russia, who both posted 9.675 to share the silver medals.

The result continued the Goodwill frustration for Bondarenko, who now has won three silver and a bronze in this competition, but continues to yearn for a gold.

Maloney was the last competitor on the balanced beam and scored a 9.775

"It's the biggest win ever in my career," said Lamorte, who celebrated his 24th birthday on Sunday, opening day of the games. He had not competed since the 1996 world championships in Puerto Rico.

"I felt I was done after that," he said. "Then the Goodwill Games coming to New York gave me inspiration to come back. I never thought I'd win. I can't describe how thrilled I am."

Maloney, 17, was the last competitor on the balanced beam and scored a 9.775 to overtake Olga Teslenko of Ukraine, who had 9.725. The bronze went to Corina Ungureanu of Romania with 9.700.

"Going last was nerve-wracking," Maloney said, "especially with everyone hitting so well in the beginning. I tried to stay calm and not worry about the others.

"When I finished, I didn't think I had won. I was surprised."

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See Maloney score a 9.775 on the balanced beam   • Start(3.12 M .MOV) Lamorte dominated the rings with a 9.700 to earn the gold (3.99 M) Click here for the latest audio and video
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