Beam Final - Women's Artistic Gymnastics | London 2012 Replays

Please raise the roof for our women's beam finalists, Zageta and Liorina. Alright, here we go, the beam final. Third last on the program. For many, I think it's the toughest. It can certainly bring athletes undone. It's a great test for the mind and body. Shannon, you know what success, how to achieve it in this event. We look back at your time in the pantry in 1997. What's it take to win this event? Well, first of all, you've got to stay on four inches wide. It's so easy to get off. But, you know, it seems like a long time ago for the 1996 Olympics. The skills of these athletes will be competing tonight are unimaginable in my day. And this is going to be an enormous lineup of athletes. Representing People's Republic of China, Sui Lu. Representing Romania. Representing People's Republic of China, Lin Lin. Representing Romania, Larissa Yovanova. Representing Russian Federation, Ksenia Afanasyeva. Representing United States of America. Representing Russian Federation. Representing United States of America, Alisa. Ladies and gentlemen, the women's beam finalists. This final is a little unusual in the field. We see who comprises our finalists with two from China, two from Romania, two from the Russian Federation and two from the United States. It's the only final like that. It's a reflection, I guess, of the really four of the powerhouses of women's gymnastics getting through on this toughest of apparatus. It really is amazing. And the lineup is tremendous. You've got the reigning world balance beam champion. You've got a gold medalist from the 2004 Olympic Games on this event. The 2009 world champion. I mean, it is just absolutely packed with tremendous difficulty and execution. And Sui Lu is the first athlete up. And she is, many would think, the one to beat coming in. Ready for stats, beam final. 20-year-old Sui Lu. Front pike handspring swing down. We always talk about that connection value. When you see two to three skills together, judges want to see that connected with no pause. Front half solid. China is known for their balance beam. Front heel handspring. Just a small error on that landing. Maybe a tenth in deduction. Sui Lu at a 6.4 in start value. The qualification round, she can perform up to 6.6. This is a very good routine. Double pike. Oh, that's a good start. Nearly 70 seconds of near perfection from Sui Lu there. She had one little extra step. It wasn't a loss of balance sideways. It was just a weight shift that carried her through. There really were not many deductions. Just minor. A little step on one move and then a step on the dismount. Gorgeous position in the air. Hits that 180 degrees and beyond. Right here, just watch her foot move. That's going to be a small deduction. But certainly nothing major. No major issues throughout this routine. Nice position in the air and just that tiny, tiny step on the dismount. But that is an enormous routine to start with. Really puts the pressure on the other girls. Sui Lu did not make the 2008 Beijing Olympic team. Had really considered quitting at the time and was able to come back. Here she is competing at the finals. Can she follow up a world championship on beam with an Olympic championship? 15.5. Well, she was the top qualifier coming in with a 15.4. So she's lifted the bar just a little higher. That's a huge score. I'm looking down at the scores of what these other athletes have performed. And that is the highest. Gabby Douglas did score 15.5 at one point. And this is going to be another great routine. Catalina Ponor. Gold on the balance beam in 2004. It would be tremendous to achieve two golds at non-consecutive Olympic Games. Double turn, 2.5. Maintaining her balance, just covering up a little bit for that error. She is so quick on these connections and really just takes charge when she's on the balance beam. Full twisting by Canspring. And that's going to take her out of that gold medal position right there. Big deduction. But I tell you what, she could give some lessons in how to do a comeback. Taking four years off before coming back. Full twisting, double back! Well, she nearly headbutted the end of the beam over the dismount. She pushed forward, but a couple of big deductions in there. And it's such a shame because she's so graceful, so dynamic on this apparatus. So, Catalina Ponor. And it's unfortunate she had those balance checks during the routine. But wow, to throw in a full twisting double back at the end. A better game from the qualification round just for these event finals. And what a treat for the audience to see such big skills. I want to ask you about her double pirouette, which turned into 2.5. Was the half supposed to be there? Nah, the half wasn't supposed to be there, but sometimes you just have to cover up and kind of make it up as you go along. You could see her turn once again in her dance to make sure she was going the correct way. And here's the full twisting double back to finish. Incredibly difficult dismount. She learned to improvise and recover. And we saw that skill there from Bono. Unfortunately, the mistakes are going to mean she won't be able to challenge Sui Lu. I think it would be difficult. She would have 15.416 during the team competition. 15.033 during the qualification. And no surprise, she's come up almost half a point short of Sui Lu's opening effort. From Anhui in China, the diminutive Ganglin Lin. Outfits opt in for these easier mounts. Just get on the beam and make use of that minute and a half while you're up there. 2009 world champion on this event. Handspring, handspring. Gorgeous layout. Tops it off with a handspring swing down. Beautiful series of skills. You can see the athlete just taking it one skill at a time. Exactly what she needs to do. These leaps and jumps, every bit as difficult as the tumbling. That sound means 10 seconds to dismount. Handspring, handspring, double pike. What a great routine. I wonder whether, like, her leaps, whether she had the same amplitude as Sui Lu. Very good. The Chinese known for their leaps and jumps. Making sure they go beyond that 180 degrees. And this tumbling was perfect. I don't know how she fits so much tumbling on that beam. Typically gets around a 6.5 in start value. Very nice dismount. She's going to have to score higher than she did during the qualification. And the team events, for sure. Perfect placement on the end of the beam for the dismount from Deng Linlin. She looks pleased with the performance. She should be. It was full of difficulty and grace. Very clean routine. No major issues throughout. I expect it will put her into second place behind her teammate. Oh no, it's better. That was a great routine. She actually comes from a higher start value. A 6.6 tonight. And a 9 for execution. To give her the 15.6. China won too, but not quite the order we expected. And those are enormous scores. 15.6, the highest score we've seen. Larissa Yudake. Taking the place of Bulimar for this event. And maybe this new star. And off the beam. Right at the get-go. And she just looks a little bit rushed, obviously, with that fall. Now she's going to have to tighten up the rest of her routine. Larissa dealing with an injured foot, some plantar fasciitis. Throughout this competition, it's been incredibly painful for her. She has this signature Romanian style. Moving through very quickly on each move. Downspring, triple twist, dismount. Nice dismount, but unfortunate start for Larissa. And she has just had some trouble in this event. Throughout the Zimbabwe games. Romania with such a great tradition. Wins in 1976, 1980. 1980 was Nadia Comaneci. 88 and 04. And there she is. Very difficult tumbling pass. Full twist on the balance beam. She comes down and looks for it, but just doesn't quite have her balance correct. Those hips in line. And that's unfortunate for both of Romania's gymnasts here today on the balance beam. Nice triple full to finish. It could be Romania will finish completely out of the medals here on beam. With Deng and Sui. So convincing, Yedake, 14-2. So no challenge there to our top two. Could be a great start to the last night of finals in China. And still four incredible routines to come. Kassidia finishing seventh on the balance beam at the 2008 Olympic Games. The oldest member of the Russian team at the ripe old age of 20. Small balance check. Here's that series that we see quite often. For an arrow back handspring. Lay out to two feet. And torsion tae half. And I can tell you, that is not an easy skill. And Nody decides sending. Nice double tuck. And just a little, little tough on that landing. But that big step backwards. The Russian Federation still has Victoria Konova to come. Who is the second highest qualifier. Just left a little bit up there. And she's definitely going to have some catch up. She had a pretty low start value. Difficulty score of 5.9 compared to the other girls during the qualification round. I want to say that over the years China has had a few back problems. Would the beam be the apparatus that most tests your back? You know, I think really all of the events. When you have a back issue, it affects everything that you do. So it's tremendous to see her even out here performing. And to be at this level is fantastic. Certainly very unforgiving landing surface, the beam. And we will see her again on the floor exercise. And she will have another opportunity for a medal. See if she can force her way into third place here. Ahead of Ponor. 15.066 Next month. Third Olympics. Keep the body good enough. 14.583 Not able to force her way into medal contention. Three to come. Quite a few American supporters in the crowd finding their voice for Gabby Douglas. All-around champion. Had a little bit of a tough time on the uneven bars. But this has become a terrific event for Gabby over this last year. She has said, I want the world to know I'm good on this event. I can do beam. Balance check there. That's going to break the connection. That's going to lower her start value just a bit. Standing full. Again, another balance check. Just a little question mark on some of these connections. Gabby Douglas, she has been competing like crazy throughout this competition. She's been in the qualifier, the team. Full all-around competition. And that does it right there for any medal for Gabby Douglas. But walking away with two gold medals. Certainly is not a bad thing. Handspring, handspring, double pike. Follows through to the very end. That's such a difficult place to be when you have an issue in the middle of your routine. I think everyone appreciates what a great job she did to finish it off so well. After what was quite a heavy fall. When she has been such a steady competitor throughout. And she still goes home knowing that she is the best all-around gymnast in the world. So that's a pretty good way to go home. Absolutely. Two gold medals. Carry-on luggage, I think. You don't put that in check-in. You might just wear it. I think. And you just saw her right foot slip. And she had a couple of small breaks prior to that. And that's where the focus comes in. And sometimes it's just not there. The first couple of moves aren't quite what you want. And the thoughts of self-doubt have to come in and mess with you a little bit. You know, you have to be incredibly focused. And even the most focused athletes still have bad days. Particularly gymnastics. It just happens. Another medal for Gabby Douglas. Unfortunately for her and her many supporters. And I'll tell you what. She's done a tremendous job of showing the world that she can be a great balance beam worker. She nailed three routines coming into tonight's competition. And I think we're going to see a lot more from Gabby Douglas in the years to come. A lot of issues tonight on balance beam from some of the top players. Two very solid efforts though from Deng Linlin and Sui Liu. Has them top. Waiting as Victoria Kamova. So often when there's a major issue with gymnasts during their routine, that's when the judges have a bit more to think about. A little more writing involved. China. Waiting, holding out. And if anyone can do it. Really these next two athletes. Victoria Kamova, who was up next, came in in the second place position. Scores in. It's probably about as disappointing as Gabby expected. 13-6-3-3. And so we'll move swiftly on. Because that next competitor could really throw down the challenge to first and second. And Victoria Kamova. She came into this competition. Looking for that gold medal in the all-around. Silver in team, silver in all-around. Bit of a mistake doing uneven bars. But this is where she could clinch that gold medal. And she's gorgeous. And wow. Big bobble right off the top. We talk about how difficult balance beam is. And it's so hard to keep those nerves in check. Especially when it's this quiet in the arena. Beautiful. Another big error. And just kind of gave up there at the end. Yes. She didn't fight it out. And that's so disappointing. She's wanted so bad to get that medal. And her motto has been workouts, workouts, good workouts. And it just did not come together. Huge double Arabian. Well, yet more disappointment. It seems her Olympic competition has been littered with it. Silver medals in the all-around. And the team competition for the Russian Federation. Really there was an opportunity there to collect another medal. But that's well and truly gone. And my hope is that she walks away from this competition. Yes, a bit disappointed. But hungry. Hungry for the next Olympic Games. The next World Championships. Because she is such a gem. And so beautiful to watch. And just had a rough go of it. Dipped that right shoulder. And she knew it was over. Such a shame. Because when she hits, she just glides on the uneven bars. So assured in everything she does. But when it's not there, that happens. Yes. And I think at that point, by the end of the beam routine, she knew it was over. She knew there was no medal. And it's always difficult to finish up the routine. With just one gymnast to come, Ali Raisman. Both the Chinese gymnasts know that they've got a medal. It's a question of the color now. Whether Raisman can accept the standings. And Raisman, she has really been the surprise. And maybe not for those that have been following closely USA Gymnastics. But a surprise to many. Getting in there in the all-around above Jordan Weber. And really making a statement. Even in the all-around final. Coming in fourth in a tie-breaking between her and Russia's Mostafina. But incredible to be up there in the all-around. Because I think many looked at her as a three-event gymnast. With, you know, oh, she can do bars. But she's really a three-event girl. And this is one of her truly fantastic events. Still waiting for the score. I've been surprised with the amount of major breaks and falls we've had here in the balance beam final. There's nothing else going on around the room. That 90 seconds up on beam can feel like an eternity if it's not going well. Well, you know, it really is different when you're competing in the event finals on balance beam. Versus an all-around or team competition where there's so much going on at once. You can kind of stay a little bit out of the woods and focus on yourself. Victoria Primoval doesn't want to look up. And we understand why. 13.166. So one competitor to come. Ali Raisman of the United States. China looking very good at the moment. Oh, no. It was crossed for another. Green medal for Romania. And they've had plenty over the years. And the door has been opened for Alexandra Raisman. She can post a pretty good score on this event. She's 15.1 in the qualification. She is the team captain and known for her consistency. Huge layout. And here's another athlete. So confident in every move. Small bobble. That's going to break the connection. Ali has learned from one of the best in Alicia Sacramone. Her teammate at home. And this is a terrific routine. Oh, solid on these turns. Arabian double front. Oh, and that's good. It's going to be close. She could have broken into the medals right there. Terrific performance. And a big coach. A hug from her coach, Mihai Brestin. So she was fourth on beam at the Worlds last year with a 15.066. And that's exactly the score that would tie her with Ponor for bronze. She wants more. And she has a good start value. 6.4. She gets all of her connections. Shannon, it's got to be you that had something to do with her being so fascinated with gymnastics. I read where she was continually watching the 1996 Olympic games where you did so well. Doesn't that make me feel old? Well, these girls are an inspiration to the next generation and many to come. But that's the legacy you have to leave, isn't it? If you encourage other athletes to take up the sport, that's all part of it. That's right. And China hesitantly waiting. They know they've got two medals. Did Raisman have enough difficulty in there to get up into the mid-15s? She did. Yeah, she did. She's got 6.4, 6.5 possibly in start value. Many mistakes for the judges to consider from Raisman. 15.6 is the leading score from Dengling Lin. Suilu right behind her on 15.5. And a bit of room for Raisman to jump into third. Ponor with 15.066. Wow. And I'm actually kind of surprised at that score. The difficulty value they gave her was only 6.2. Wow. 14.966. So she misses out. The medalists stay as they were prior to her routine. It's China. China, Romania. There's a bit of a buzz around the room here about that last score. It was a terrific performance. She didn't get probably all the connections that she needed. But you did see one wobble during a connection. That was going to be tight. Ponor. Medals again at her second Olympic Games. Gold medal eight years ago. And the tears are flowing there for China, for Dengling Lin and Suilu. Gold and silver. And finally some joy for the Chinese team. It felt like a bit of a tough competition with missing out. That was a huge lineup. We saw the athletes that came in and did their job. Suilu, Dengling Lin right off the bat set the bar high. We're seeing some shots here now, as you are, of the judges. And whether there has been a quick protest lodged by the USA team, we won't know for a bit. And if I had to guess, I would assume that they're questioning the difficulty value, which is the only value that you can petition. You cannot question the E-score or the execution value. We've already had a successful inquiry or protest, if you like, lodged by the Japanese men's team that moved them from fourth to second on controversy surrounding Uchimura on pommels. Whether that's the case here, I can't confirm for you just yet. Ali Raisman doing her job tonight. It was a terrific performance and she has more to come on the floor exercise. And you can see how close these athletes are. One tenth of a deduction could make a huge difference. I can tell you, though, that here in the arena, there was a reaction of surprise to the low score given to Raisman. Here, it looks like they're going to be watching some replays. Yeah, this is it. Yogi Berra. Deja vu all over again. This looks like what happened at the end of the team's competition. It is. And it seems to keep happening toward the end of the lineup. That last person up. OK. Confirmation that that is indeed the case. That the USA has at least asked the question. So would you look at this again, please? And the coach can put in an inquiry prior to the end of the rotation. So all the rules being followed. And that's the coach's job, to fight for every single tenth. And this would be with regard to the difficulty value, that D score we're talking about, where we saw Allie Raisman was given a 6.2 difficulty value. She's typically up around a 6.4 or a 6.5. And Allie herself does not get involved. She keeps a distance. That's right. The athlete's job is to perform. And it's really the coach's job to handle anything else. Right here, we saw an issue with one of her connections, but it was really a strong performance otherwise. And Allie has just really come on strong as that team captain for the United States. Double Arabian dismount of the Patterson. The Japanese men's team, well, it was a week ago, really had to wait some time. And I can't speak highly enough of how they just sat quietly and just awaited the outcome and left it to the judges and coaches. And the D score has been changed. The D score has been raised to 6.3. So that ties Raisman with Ponal and in fact moves her ahead and she will get the medal on execution. And Allie Raisman now having been on both sides of it, losing the bronze medal in the all-around, placing fourth due to an execution score, and now she's on the other end receiving the bronze medal. She's got it. 15.066 ties her with Ponal, but she gets the bronze courtesy of her execution score. That's the tiebreak applied. And that was a protest worth having. And it more quickly resolved than with the men's team competition. And, well, a crushing moment really for Catalina Ponal. And these tiebreaks are, oh, they're excruciating. You know, to see an athlete have the same score and not receive the same medal, but unfortunately they've got those tiebreak rules in place. Well, they just have to accept it, Romania, and a little shake of the head and then a smile and they move on. It's part of the game. It's not something they haven't seen before, but it's a tough pill to swallow for Ponal and Romania. And a little joy there instead for the United States as they pick up a bronze medal behind the gold and silver seized by Deng Linlin and Sui Liu, who really were standouts in the beam final, 15.6 and 15.5, and then back to Raisman's 15.066. We saw a significant difference there between the top two and the next two. China really did set itself apart from the rest of the field right from the get-go. Confirming for you then that Deng Linlin has won gold and the team-mate Sui Liu, 15.6, 15.5, and then after the inquiry, Alexander Raisman was awarded a bronze medal position, a 15.066, ahead of Catalina Pona on the same score by Artemiseva, the Russian Federation, Radaki, Romania, Douglas USA, Komoba, Russian Federation.