Such a bug difference with jordyn weber and Nadia comaneci! Why? They doo the same thing
The marking has changed.
The actual gymnastic elements of thirty years ago would be laughably for a modern athlete, and more marks were awarded for the artistry/grace with which these were performed.
Now it's more like circus acrobatics, and the points awarded for the difficulty of the move appears to outweigh the penalty attached to imperfection in landing etc. All the competitors yesterday had some *very* wobbly moments on the beam which would once have cost them dearly, but now seems to be overlooked.
I've no idea which came first: the change in emphasis, or the change in physique. But in Comanici was now a sixteen year old you can bet she'd be built in exactly the same way as the other gymnasts. And yes, most of them will do some light weights work.
naturally, athletes get bigger, faster and stronger over time. look at sports like track and field, swimming and football for example. the 1st 4 minute mile was made back in 1954. hell, the record for an american high school athlete in the mile is 3:53 and 3:50 wont even get you to the olympics now. same concept, but different sport. if you want to go to football, look at players back then to now. most defensive backs now (the people who are fast on defense) are nearly as big as a linemen would be back in the 1950s.
edit: also, the system has changed as well. before, you could only get a perfect 10. now, you can set the degree of difficulty, but are deducted x points per mistake.
I noticed that too. Steroids? Weight training? Whatever it is it looks god awful! This Olympics is a bore and grotesque at the same time.
Notice Nadia's build, light and flexible. Here is one of her perfect 10 scores at the 1976 Olympics.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=end...
I saw sloppiness in the 2012 Olympic gymnastics and the girls look like fire plugs and very stiff.
Steroids.
They probably do weight training.
Why are gymnasts so muscular now compared to back then?
Such a bug difference with jordyn weber and Nadia comaneci! Why? They doo the same thing
