Important Quotes

Talent alone is not enough. I believe that a really good gymnast is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
- Vladislav Rastorotsky (URS)
Thomas Edison much??

[Mandy Gornall] encountered one unpleasant episode which greatly annoyed our contingent, when she had to wait before starting her bars because Turischeva who was judging wanted to watch the Russian girls on floor [at the 1981 World Championships].
-(??)
Oh, wow.

I know how to smile, I know how to laugh, I know how to play. But I know how to do these things only after I have fulfilled my mission.
Nadia Comaneci (ROM), Time Magazine 1976
My mom believes in this too.

After a while, if you work on a certain move consistently then it doesn't seem so risky. The idea is that the move stays dangerous and it looks dangerous to my opponents -- but it isn't to me. That is my secret.
Nadia Comaneci (ROM), The Illustrated History of Gymnastics
It isn't secret anymore!

When you are on the podium nobody is asking you if you are 15 or 30 years old. What matters is who can do great gymnastics.
Oksana Chusovitina (UZB), World Championships press conference 11/21/05
This made me crack up because Chuso, as one of the oldest gymnasts, knows what she is talking about!

Generally speaking, I think it is unbecoming to act as a national hero, wave hands and so on.
Vitaly Scherbo (URS/BLR), International Gymnast 01/91
If anyone has right to act heroic, it's Scherbo.

I'm always smiling, always waving. I'm just a natural show-off.
Kristie Phillips (USA), International Gymnast 1990
Hmm.

I never expected to win three medals in the Athens Olympic Games. Of course, I would rather have won one gold.
Marian Dragulescu (ROM), Olympic press conference 8/23/04
I would rather you three gold medals! You're my fave male gymnast!

We usually spend one hour per week on ballet but Marta Karolyi has us do a lot of compulsory floor in the morning practice.
Kristie Phillips (USA), USA Gymnastics 3-4/1986
What torture did Marta put you through in the evenings?

There are two main faults with women judging. They cannot judge vaulting and bars. Once again, I believe a woman judge does not have the visual reflexes, the quickness that is necessary to judge these two events.
Bud Marquette, Gymnast magazine 8-9/72
Like you could judge!

You have to have competent people evaluating the athlete, not the housewives! Bela Karolyi, International Gymnast 8-9/91
You wouldn't do.

I have a problem with the judges. In my opinion, I don't feel they are trained well enough, I don't think they like me. I was gold medalist in Athens on the beam and at the European Championships, and here I am only third. I'm very disappointed and unhappy with them."
Catalina Ponor (ROM), World Championships press conference 11/27/05
Ponor deserved Silver.

I wasn't too good at vaulting, and I didn't have running speed and jumping power.
Mitsuo Tsukahara (JPN), International Gymnast 11/82
Naw, you weren't, you know, yeah, just a HUGE originator.

Life is marvelous now because I have a tape recorder.
Olga Korbut (URS) in 1972, The Illustrated History of Gymnastics
LOL!

One time a French reporter asked me how I could do a cross so easily. I said, "You just lower your body down until your arms are straight out to the sides, then you stop."
Albert Azaryan (URS), International Gymnast 05/94
Is this Mattie Larson's coach?

I don't think many people will remember me when I retire.
Svetlana Boginskaya (URS/BLR), International Gymnast 04/90
Heh? Svetlaaaahnaa? Voo eez zat neenkumpoop?

I truly believe in my heart that I am the all-around champion.
Paul Hamm (USA), New York Times 8/24/04
So do I.

We realize our appeal [of Alexei Nemov's HB score in event finals] is unlikely to change final results of competitions, but we must draw attention of the IOC to the existing problem.
Anatoly Kolesnikov (Head of RUS delegation in Athens), USA Today
You deserved a medal Alexei!

LOL. Enjoy.