Carly Patterson upstaged Russian diva Svetlana Khorkina to become the first American in 20 years to seize the women’s Olympic gymnastics all-round gold medal yesterday.
The 16-year-old Patterson put on a fearless display on all four apparatus to win the title with a score of 38.387 and emulate the feat of compatriot Mary Lou Retton at Los Angeles in 1984.
Khorkina, who had been favorite for the title and was competing in her last Olympics, failed to match her young rival and finished second. Zhang Nan won the bronze to capture China’s first gymnastics medal in Athens.
Patterson’s victory allowed her to avenge her defeat by Khorkina at last year’s World Championships and complete an American sweep of the all-round competition after Paul Hamm had grabbed the men’s title a day earlier.
Patterson had trailed in eighth place after the first rotation, having gained a deduction from the panel of judges for her hopped landing following her double twisting Yurchenko vault.
But by the time she showed off her balancing skills in the third round, she had leapfrogged Khorkina to the top and there was no stopping her. Her dazzling display on the narrow beam included a full twisting back somersault, and her solid dismount was greeted by a loud roar in the arena and an equally high score of 9.725.
“We went silver silver with the men’s and women’s teams, and now we’re gold, gold with the all-round,” said Patterson’s coach Kelli Hill.
The last competitor to go on the floor, the American teenager knew she had to score higher than 9.536 to beat Khorkina.
Taking to the floor in a red sequinned outfit, Patterson performed the routine of her young life, landing each of three-linked tumbling combinations to perfection.
As the music ended, Patterson jumped into the arms of her coach Hill and the crowd leaped to their feet, many waving the Stars and Stripes.
A score of 9.712 handed Patterson the gold, leaving the 25-year-old Khorkina to reflect on her third failed attempt to grab the top individual prize.
France Win Elusive Team Saber Gold
France finally won the one Olympic men’s fencing title that has always eluded them when they beat Italy 45-42 in the team saber. Damien Touya came from behind in the last round against Luigi Tarantino to snatch the gold.
His teammates, Touya’s brother Gael and Julien Pillet, also contributed to the drama but Italian Aldo Montano, who won the individual men’s saber, was again the outstanding performer, contributing 23 points to his team’s total. Russia took the bronze.
