[1996]

> What is she going to accomplish? Make money and make others follow her lead? And that would be great, right?

She inspired me and other in her boldness

> Maybe she is. I see no grace in her performance though. Maybe I'm too used watching Soviet Bloc gymnastics. Isn't this artistic gymnastics? I see no artisticism in her performance, just routine - it's like a robot doing it, but failing to land properly

Your lack of interest in pushing the boundaries or rejecting pre established rules (Who said gymnastics should only be about art? Why do you think soviet block country must forever be the model?) strikes me as dull and classicist.

You would be very happy in China mainland, where you have one model to obey and follow, coming from the top down, with no room for inspiration or breaking the mold.

[nikolay]

I don't follow you as gymnastics in China is way more popular than gymnastics in the US. America has always been based on following role models and all was good until the Kardashians and gangster rap singers become those. Given she competes in the artistic gymnastics field, being artistic is a key component of the sport - it's sport, but it is an art, too. Rhythmic gymnastics is way more artistic, I agree, but it also is much more complicated than simple athletic routines and it's dominated by Eastern Europeans mostly due to the focus of beauty, grace, and clockwork coordination. Again, not sure what boundaries she's pushing in this breakneck act - there's no human, who can push the boundaries beyond those set by animals.