Random vid thread

[MaryClare]

Also, east Germany were strong both in gymnastics and in sports politics at the time. Ricna was a big player too

 

[RedBirdie]

The Czechoslovakians and Bulgarians were no.slouches, either.

 

[Puffin]

The USSR had Yurchenko, Mostepanova and Shushunova for vault, then there was Gnauck who was right up there.

On FX Mostepanova, Shushunova, Yurchenko, Gnauck, Ricna and Stoyanova were all big contenders.

 

[IratePanda]

Retton had a mistake on FX in EF, and her vaults weren't great. Szabo's vault gold was questionable because her positions in the air were so wonky. IIRC, she did a piked Tsuk-full and a tucked Cuervo, but it was nearly impossible to distinguish one from the other. Mostepanova and Yurchenko went 1-2 on V in Olomuoc, so perhaps they would have done the same in LA.

Mostepanova also won floor in Olomuoc--tied with Gnauck, ugh! (This is supposed to be my Yurchenko fantasy. East Germans begone!) I don't know how things might have played out in LA. Szabo and McNamara were both amazing.

Sadly, I don't think Stoyanova would have been a major factor in LA. She was injured in early '84 and still wasn't at full strength for the Alternate Games.