This is the ninth post in our new series “Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions”. Over the coming months we will be looking back at former Olympic Champions and also a chance to see how our sport has developed over the years. Every Friday in the lead up to the Olympics in July, Full Twist will post a new article in this series. We will continue this series with the Women’s Uneven Bars Champions of Olympics past. Where possible we have included results,scores and pictures or videos where available.
1952 Helsinki Olympic Games
- Margit Korondi (HUN)
- Maria Gorokhovskaya (URS)
- Agnes Keleti (HUN)
1956 Melbourne Olympic Games
- Agnes Keleti (HUN) 18.966
- Larissa Latynina (URS) 18.833
- Sofia Muratova (URS) 18.800
1960 Rome Olympic Games
- Polina Astakhova (URS)
- Larissa Latynina (URS)
- Tamara Lyukhina (URS)
1964 Tokyo Olympic Games
- Polina Astakhova (URS) 19.332
- Katalin Makrai (HUN) 19.216
- Larissa Latynina (URS) 19.199
1972 Munich Olympic Games
- Karin Janz (GDR) 19.675
- Erika Zuchold (GDR) 19.450
- Olga Korbut (URS) 19.450
1976 Montreal Olympic Games
- Nadia Comaneci (ROM) 20.000
- Teodora Ungureanu (ROM) 19.800
- Marta Egervari (HUN) 19.775
1980 Moscow Olympic Games
- Maxi Gnauck (GDR)
- Emilia Eberle (ROU)
- Steffi Kraker (GDR), Melita Ruhn (ROM), Maria Filatova (URS)
1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games
- Ma Yanhong (CHN), Julianne McNamara (USA) 19.950
- Mary Lou Retton (USA) 19.800
1988 Seoul Olympic Games
- Daniela Silivas (ROM) 20.000
- Dagmar Kersten (GDR) 19.987
- Elena Chouchounova (URS) 19.962
1992 Barcelona Olympic Games
- Lu Li (CHN) 10.000
- Tatiana Gutsu (EUN) 9.975
- Shannon Miller (USA) 9.962
1996 Atlanta Olympic Games
- Svetlana Khorkina (RUS) 9.850
- Be Wenjing (CHN) & Amy Chow (USA) 9.837
2000 Sydney Olympic Games
- Svetlana Khorkina (RUS) 9.862
- Ling Jie (CHN) 9.837
- Yang Yun (CHN) 9.787
2004 Athens Olympic Games
- Emilie Le Pennec (FRA) 9.687
- Terin Humphrey (USA) 9.662
- Courtney Kupets (USA) 9.637
2008 Beijing Olympic Games
- He Kexin (CHN) 16.725
- Nastia Liukin (USA) 16.725
- Yang Yilin (CHN) 16.650
Bars has transformed incredibly throughout the years, it’s incredible to see. Who do you think will be our 2012 Olympic Bar Champion? There are a lot of gymnasts in serious contention for a space on the podium – Beth Tweddle, Viktoria Komova, Gabby Douglas, Aliya Mustafina. Who do you envision on the podium in 2 months time? Leave a comment below.
Also in this series:
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – MAG AA
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – WAG AA
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – MAG Pommel Horse
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – WAG Vault
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – MAG Still Rings
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – MAG High Bar
- Gymnastics History: Olympic Champions – WAG Beam
Just curious why are some of the scores in the twenties? Is it because they had to perform the routines twice?
Love this series! Keep up the good work!
Sorry to be a nuisance, but the video you’ve included of Khorkina in 2000 is actually from 2004 when she fell in the final.
Thanks Steph, have changed it now!
I want Beth Tweddle to win!
I love that video of Emilie Lepennec with the French commentary. I’ve no idea what they’re saying for most of it, but their reaction when they find out she won is so great.
Sherajn,
Beginning with the 1992 Olympics, the “New Life” rule was established. The prior competition results were “erased”, and everyone has a legitimate shot at earning/winning a Gold.
Prior to the 1992 Olympics, the scores from the prior Team Competition was carried over to the event final. Daniela Silivas actually earned a 10.0 in the 1st round of the team competition and the 2nd round of the team competition (all teams competed in both rounds back then). She carried a 10.0 average into the uneven bars final. Earning the 10.0 in the final, gave her the 20.0.