Betty Okino's Olympic Report Sydney Overview

For the first time since the 1972 Olympics, the American flag was not raised in a gymnastics medal ceremony.

Disappointing? Yes.

Surprising? Not really.

After a sixth place finish at last year's World Championships, the American women needed a miracle to put them back on the awards podium. Unfortunately that miracle did not happen.

When Bela Karolyi walked away from coaching, USA Gymnastics lost its leader. Bela set the standard for what American gymnastics should be. Coaches and athletes were forced to rise to his level -- a level at which mental and physical readiness go hand in hand.

Look into the eyes of a champion and you see fire and an undying desire to win. When I looked into the eyes of Team USA, I saw fear. The joy and charisma needed to be on the most competitive floor in the world was nowhere to be found.

"When I looked into the eyes of Team USA, I saw fear." (Photo: NBC Sports)

The one man who could've brought some life to the American team was stuck watching from the stands. Only two coaches from each country are allowed on the floor during competition. Since Bela wasn't the personal coach for any of the athletes, he wasn't allowed. I'm not saying that if Bela were allowed on the floor the outcome would have been a medal for the U.S. However, his presence, energy, and enthusiasm would have driven the Americans to battle for a spot on the podium.

In a sport where tenths of a point separate going home with the gold or empty handed, there is no room for careless mistakes. Small steps on vault landings, missed balance beam connections, steps out of bounds on floor exercise, all add up to a fourth place finish.

You might say that fourth best in the world is not that bad. For a nation that takes great pride in being number one in the medal count, fourth place means very little. They were a team made up of both young and old. Full of hope and talent, but lacking confidence and desire.

Perhaps if given more time to prepare, the outcome would have been different. Unfortunately, time is never on a gymnast's side.

9/27/2000

Okino Archive

Betty Okino 1990 U.S. National Championships: Silver Medalist (AA), Gold Medalist (Beam) and Event Finalist (5th Bars, 4th Floor) 1991 World Championships: Silver Medalist (Team), Bronze Medalist (Beam) and 4th AA 1991 American Cup: Champion and Gold Medalist (AA, Vault, Bars) 1992 World Championships: Silver Medalist (Bars) and Event Finalist (8th Beam) 1992 Olympics: Bronze Medalist (Team) and Event Finalist (6th Beam)