Moments in time: Floor routines. The 2000’s

Here is a list of some memorable floor routines. Some of the routines I picked were not due so much to the floor routine itself but to the moment in time for which it happened. Some of you might question my selections (one in particular) but a moment can be bigger sometimes then the routine itself and that is why I chose some of these.

I also would love to hear what some of your favorite floor routines are for 2000 or after. Moments or actual routines. Later I will do the 90’s and maybe 80’s

I am pretty surprised I found this many to be honest. Besides the Anna Pavlova, Shannon Miller, Chellsie Memmel, Bridget Sloan and Jiang Yuyuan ones the rest I pretty much stumbled upon while looking for floor routines. Lets just say some were a little more memorable than others. With out further ado…

Routine: Anna Pavlova

This was hands down the best floor routine done at the 2008 Olympics. She nailed every pass and the only deductions I saw were her legs crossed on her twist passes. I am still trying to figure out 4 years later how Nastia Liukins shitty routine outscored this even with the higher start value. Execution is supposed to matter and on this day it was clear the judges did not care about it. This is pretty much the only highlight I can remember not having to do with a Chinese gymnast during that Olympics and it is a shame the judges did not feel like doing their jobs and scoring her fairly.

Moment: Bridget Sloan, 2009 National Championships

I just like Bridget Sloan. She reminds me of me in where she is quirky and quick witted and a we bit sarcastic and this is one of those moments that I always remember when thinking of the 2009 National Championships. Bridget needed to nail this routine to win and she did just that.

Moment: Chellsie Memmel. 2008 Olympic Trials day 2

Chellsie does not do pretty gymnastics. It’s a fact but with all the injuries and all the bad luck if you were rooting against her making the 2008 Olympic team you clearly were born without a heart. Chellsie was the last gymnast to compete at Trials and she had the floor to herself and even Marta had to stand up and clap for her (Even though we all know she never wanted Chellsie on her team) If pissing off Marta isn’t enough reason to root for Chellsie I don’t know what is:)

Moment: Shannon Miller, 2000 Olympic Trials

Shannon was injured by the time Trials came around and her tumbling was not up to par but for her to go out at Trials and still be light years ahead of anyone else on the floor in presentation said a lot. This was the most artistic routine at Trials and second place was light years behind it. I was at Trials and Shannon sat down her whip, two and a half twists twice during training which is why she did not add in the punch front.

Moment: Cheng Fie

Cheng Fie clinches Gold for China. I can’t find a version of the routine that shows China’s reaction to winning but watching the US team sit in silence on the sidelines with bitch faces on in good enough for me:)

Routine: Jiang Yuyuan, 2008 Olympic event finals

She was robbed of the Floor bronze medal. It is that simple. She nailed all of her passes but a small step on the first pass. Jiang was a victim of the 3rd/4th gymnast law. NO Country is allowed to have a 3rd/4th great gymnast. It’s not a real law but whenever a Country has a 3rd/4th gymnast capable of winning they always get lowballed. Think Galiyeva, Marinescu and Jiang Yuyuan.

Hollie Vise, 2003 US Nationals.

Hollie was a beautiful dancer. Her overall presentation more than made up for her weak tumbling but what I loved about this floor routine was Hollie putting it to Marta. Marta did not want Hollie as part of her World team but she had no choice when Hollie finished second at Nationals and Marta was forced to take he because she set up the rules. The next year the rules were changed all because sweet little Hollie crashed Marta’s party.

Moment: Andreea Raducan wins AA

The whole AA was a debacle from the start but that hardly dims the fist pump from Andreea Raducan when she won the AA at the 2000 Olympics. The routine itself is blah to me but the smile and the fist pump are just pure joy by a child. Andreea Got robbed.

HAHA, Comedy ending

Watch clueless Nastia with her dirty look and watch how she tries to say something to Alicia but is ignored. Ah the little things:)