Svetlana Khorkina - the first Russian World AA Champion

She was the first Russian All Around World Champion, competing here in 1997 on the final piece of the first of three gold medal winning all around performances at World Championships.  She was the Queen of bars, taking gold on the apparatus at two Olympics (1996 and 2000) and five World Championships (1995, 1996, 1997, 1999, 2001).  The first big star of the post-Soviet era never won an Olympic all around title (some would say she was harshly denied her best chance in 2000 by an immense equipment bog-up) but Khorkina is the one we all remember, the one whose brilliance often overcame her inconsistency.  She contributed eight signature skills to the Code of Points across all four pieces of apparatus.

Watch here as in a tight competition - the top four gymnasts were ultimately separated by only 0.093 - Khorkina floats through her original bars routine, including the brand new half-twisting Shaposhnikova that elicited gasps from the audience each time she performed it here.  At our seats we, her audience, sat in rapt attention as Khorkina wandered to the end of the arena and stood, head down, right beneath the spot above which the national flag of Russian hung.  The announcement of the score was an emotional moment not only for her but the whole Russian team.  Head coach Leonid Arkayev makes sure he is the first to embrace the new Champion - but watch in the background as personal coach Boris Pilkin quietly signals victory.  He is the one Khorkina turns to for the final, more personal celebration.  Just look at the expression on the old man's face.




1997 World Championships, Lausanne
WAG All Around

1 Svetlana Khorkina 38.636
2 Simona Amanar 38.587
3 Elena Produnova 38.549
4 Gina Gogean 38.543
5 Meng Fei 38.042