I saved floor for last, because I knew it was going to be a pretty epic list of routines. I don't know if I can pick a favorite piece of apparatus, but I think there are more routines on floor that I absolutely LOVE than on any other piece. Conversely, of course, since I have fairly high expectations for what makes a great routine, there are a lot of routines that drive me NUTS on floor, due to crappy choreography, lack of originality, bad music, etc. etc. etc.
Carly Patterson, 2004 Olympic TF
There was not a single American floor routine at Athens that I liked. Cheesy choreo (remember Kupets?), lame music (Carly in particular), uninspired dance...it was a hot mess. Carly's, however, I find particularly egregious, since she was the AA champion that year. The T-rex arms at 1:15 and 1:51 just make me want to shriek.
Viktoria Karpenko, 2000 Olympic AA
Of all the many disasters in Sydney...Karpenko's is just still heartbreaking. Thinking about the current state of Ukrainian gymnastics, and how things might be different if she had nailed this like she did in the team final? So sad.
Anastasia Grishina, 2010 Euros TF
Even with the nerve-wracking prospect of this year's Worlds coming up, Russia is beyond lucky to have a talent like Grishina in the wings, along with its other outstanding juniors. This exercise is a delight from start to finish, the style much reminiscent of Oksana Omelianchik.
Daniela Silivas, 1988 Olympic Compulsories
Best compulsories routine ever? On any apparatus? I think so. The beauty in every single gesture, the perfection in every movement, the way she floats through each leap and tumble. Just breathtaking.
Anna Pavlova, 2008 Olympic AA
Pavlova's career is riddled with just-misses and questionable judging (2008 Olympic beam final anyone?) but this routine shows off her unbelievable artistry, flexibility, and immaculate tumbling at its best.
Sandra Izbasa, 2008 Olympic EF
For me, this was the highlight of the Beijing Olympics. Though the China/USA showdown and then the Nastia/Shawn showdown grabbed most of the spotlight, Sandra's gold medal was so well-deserved and so exciting for the Romanian camp. (Also, I can't help but smirk at the complete silence of the terrible trio during this performance- they clearly realized neither one of their faves was going to take home the gold after this!)
Rebecca Bross, 2009 Visa Championships
I hate to harp on the Americans here, but let's be real- WOGA has created some truly egregious choreography these last few years. I actually am no Bross hater, whose toughness in Rotterdam really impressed me, but this routine is just. so. dull. Lots of dramatic arm-waving does not a great floor routine make.
Elena Produnova, 1997 Worlds EF
The Queen of front-tumbling. It's completely ridiculous that this routine only earned her a bronze.
Elena Shushonova, 1988 Olympics TF
Even better than her AA routine. That second pass still blows my mind every time I see it. One of the most superb athletes this sport- or any sport- has ever produced.
I could go on! Omelianchik's classic "birdie" routine, Podkopayeva's 1996 Olympics AA, Milosovici's 1992 Olympics EF, Henrietta Onodi's 1992 Olympics EF, almost anything Boginskaya or Silivas ever performed, any Russian routine from the 2000 Olympics, Cheng Fei in the 2008 Olympic TF...
Carly Patterson, 2004 Olympic TF
There was not a single American floor routine at Athens that I liked. Cheesy choreo (remember Kupets?), lame music (Carly in particular), uninspired dance...it was a hot mess. Carly's, however, I find particularly egregious, since she was the AA champion that year. The T-rex arms at 1:15 and 1:51 just make me want to shriek.
Viktoria Karpenko, 2000 Olympic AA
Of all the many disasters in Sydney...Karpenko's is just still heartbreaking. Thinking about the current state of Ukrainian gymnastics, and how things might be different if she had nailed this like she did in the team final? So sad.
Anastasia Grishina, 2010 Euros TF
Even with the nerve-wracking prospect of this year's Worlds coming up, Russia is beyond lucky to have a talent like Grishina in the wings, along with its other outstanding juniors. This exercise is a delight from start to finish, the style much reminiscent of Oksana Omelianchik.
Daniela Silivas, 1988 Olympic Compulsories
Best compulsories routine ever? On any apparatus? I think so. The beauty in every single gesture, the perfection in every movement, the way she floats through each leap and tumble. Just breathtaking.
Anna Pavlova, 2008 Olympic AA
Pavlova's career is riddled with just-misses and questionable judging (2008 Olympic beam final anyone?) but this routine shows off her unbelievable artistry, flexibility, and immaculate tumbling at its best.
Sandra Izbasa, 2008 Olympic EF
For me, this was the highlight of the Beijing Olympics. Though the China/USA showdown and then the Nastia/Shawn showdown grabbed most of the spotlight, Sandra's gold medal was so well-deserved and so exciting for the Romanian camp. (Also, I can't help but smirk at the complete silence of the terrible trio during this performance- they clearly realized neither one of their faves was going to take home the gold after this!)
Rebecca Bross, 2009 Visa Championships
I hate to harp on the Americans here, but let's be real- WOGA has created some truly egregious choreography these last few years. I actually am no Bross hater, whose toughness in Rotterdam really impressed me, but this routine is just. so. dull. Lots of dramatic arm-waving does not a great floor routine make.
Elena Produnova, 1997 Worlds EF
The Queen of front-tumbling. It's completely ridiculous that this routine only earned her a bronze.
Elena Shushonova, 1988 Olympics TF
Even better than her AA routine. That second pass still blows my mind every time I see it. One of the most superb athletes this sport- or any sport- has ever produced.
I could go on! Omelianchik's classic "birdie" routine, Podkopayeva's 1996 Olympics AA, Milosovici's 1992 Olympics EF, Henrietta Onodi's 1992 Olympics EF, almost anything Boginskaya or Silivas ever performed, any Russian routine from the 2000 Olympics, Cheng Fei in the 2008 Olympic TF...
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