ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, July 25, 1996 TAG: 9607250060
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C-3 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: ATLANTA
SOURCE: Associated Press
LI XIAOSHUANG NAILS his final high bar routine to beat Russia's Alexei Nemov.
As Li Xiaoshuang of China celebrated his victory, six-time gold medalist Vitaly Scherbo looked around in bewilderment.
Li, the reigning world champion, scored a 9.787 on his final high bar routine Wednesday to win the all-around with 58.423 points, edging Russia's Alexei Nemov by just .049 points.
Scherbo of Belarus, who won the all-around in 1992 and was chasing a record-tying seventh gold-medal, finished third.
Scherbo's scores were lower than he's used to getting, and his usual grin turned to a look of bewilderment with every score. After receiving a 9.687 for what looked like a solid vault, Scherbo slapped the floor. At other times he held out his arms as if to ask, ``What more can I do?''
It was only the second time since 1976 a gymnast from the former Soviet Union did not win the gold.
The Americans turned in their best performance in the all-around since 1984, when Peter Vidmar won the gold. John Roethlisberger, who earlier said it would have been an understatement to even consider him a longshot for a medal, finished seventh.
Blaine Wilson finished 10th and John Macready was 29th out of 36 competitors.
Li pumped his fists and hugged his coach after finishing his high bar routine. He ran off the podium grinning and waving to the crowd that was chanting his name.
It was a sweet victory for Li, who was bitterly disappointed by his performance in the team competition that gave China a silver medal. Li was bewildered by his errors - including a shocking near-fall on the still rings - and promised he would do better in the all-around.
He started the day in sixth place, but moved up quickly. He was almost perfect in every routine, and came into the sixth and final round trailing Nemov by just .038.
LENGTH: Short : 47 linesby CNB