The List: Best of Event Finals

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  <strong>2004 Olympics Vault Finals</strong><br /> Featuring reigning Olympic Champion Elena Zamolodchikova, these finals were one of the most diverse of the Games, with only Russia qualifying two gymnasts.  In the end, Monica Rosu brought the title back to Romania with a dynamic double twisting tsuk and the only Amanar of the field.  Not only the only Amanar, but one of the best performed at that point.  While Zamo also showed two good vaults, American Annia Hatch was stronger, showing her grit after finally qualifying to an Olympics after being denied a chance to compete in 1996 by her native Cuba.  Now an American citizen, Hatch won silver in her ‘second life’ as a gymnast.  Blessedly, fan (and personal) favorite Anna Pavlova of Russia finished ahead of her teammate for her only individual Olympic medal.  While her vaults weren’t as difficult as Hatch or Rosu, Anna showed her classic lines and strong landings for the bronze.<br /> Pavs, because&#8211;
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  <strong>2012 Olympics Bars Finals</strong><br /> So many stories in this final—reigning Olympic champion He Kexin back to prove she still had it, and young teammate Yao Jinnan looking for a good result after being plagued by injuries. The Russians, Aliya Mustafina and Viktoria Komova (reigning world champ), eager to get gold for Russia for the first time at these Games.  Two time former world champion and crowd favorite Beth Tweddle seeking her first medal in three Olympics.  All-around champion Gabby Douglas looking for a third gold of the Games.  And Germany’s Elisabeth Seitz and Japan’s Koko Tsurumi looking to make a modern name for their countries after successful Worlds and European Championships. Simply put, this finals was stacked.  Finally, Aliya won the gold for Russia; finally, He Kexin recovered from a tough 2011 and won silver; finally, Beth Tweddle won her Olympic medal for her country.<br /> Aliya showing that bars is an event of finesse and grace&#8211;
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  <em>Honorable mentions</em>—
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  1980 Olympics Floor Finals—Comaneci, Kim, Gnauk, Shaposhnikova all medal.  Enough said.
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  1984 Olympics Bars Finals—two 10s and two golds.
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  1992 Olympics Floor Finals—Milo’s 10!  Onodi!  Three way tie for bronze!<br /> 1995 Worlds Beam Finals—Mo Huilan finally hits that beam set; Miller out of the medals and Moceanu is in.
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  1997 Worlds Beam Finals—far from the best…….but definitely the most controversial!
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  2000 Olympics Bar Finals—Sveta does it again, followed by two stellar Chinese gymnasts.
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  2003 Worlds Bars Finals—Two golds for USA; history for Great Britain!
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  2003 Worlds Floor Finals—dos Santos wows the crowd!
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  2004 Europeans Bars Finals—More for Sveta!  Another medal for Beth!  Two Ukrainians!  Two Spaniards!
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  2012 Olympics Beam Finals—Deng and Sui; Aly and Cata; duking it out.<br /> 2012 Olympics Floor Finals—Aly and Cata; Aliya and Vanessa; duking it out.
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  Your turn!  Which Event Finals do you love?
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<p>
  <strong>Article by: Kristen Ras</strong>
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  <strong>Photo cover: <a href="http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/vpCZRegylnp/Olympics+Day+10+Gymnastics+Artistic/P5ZTbjJDj8C/Aliya+Mustafina">Zimbio</a></strong>
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  <span style="color: #ffffff;">,</span>
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<p>
  Other articles in &#8216;The List&#8217; series:
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/06/30/the-list-sweet-silver/">Sweet Silver</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/06/12/the-list-when-you-cry-i-cry/">When you Cry, I Cry</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2014/08/17/the-list-the-contenders/">The Contenders</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/01/11/the-list-namesakes/">Namesakes</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/02/04/the-list-to-watch-again-and-again/">To watch again and again</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/02/27/the-list-best-of-american-cup/">Best of American Cup</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/03/20/the-list-greatest-team-competitions-part-1/">Favorite team competitions (part 1)</a>
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<p>
  <a href="http://www.thecouchgymnast.com/2015/05/05/the-list-once-at-worlds/">Once at Worlds</a>
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