The 2008 Olympics was the first under the new Code that eliminated the perfect 10.0 as the top score in the sport. Now 15s and 16s are the norm, and gymnasts with the highest difficulty (A score) usually win big. These are the athletes that made a mark on the Beijing Games.
Shawn Johnson (USA)
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Johnson came into the 2008 Olympics as the reigning World All-Around Champion -- and with tricks that few others have ever done. She lived up to the hype, and earned a handful of medals for Team USA.
Nastia Liukin (USA)
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At 18, Liukin tied Shannon Miller's record for the most World medals won by an American. In Beijing, Liukin lived up to a family history of winning gold by earning the most coveted prize of all: the women's all-around title.
Cheng Fei (China)
© 2008 Steve Lange
The leader of the Chinese women's team, Cheng has long dominated on vault and is one of the best in the world on floor as well. Though she had a string of bad luck in Beijing, she did salvage team gold and a beam bronze.
Steliana Nistor (Romania)
© Tomas Tyrpekl
Nistor came back from a series of injuries to place 4th all-around at the 2006 Worlds. One year later, she captured the silver behind Shawn Johnson. Hampered by injury, Nistor didn't earn an all-around medal in 2008, but she did help the team to a surprise bronze.
Yang Wei (China)
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The 2006 and 2007 World All-Around Champion, Yang finally took gold in the Olympic all-around in 2008.
Jonathan Horton (USA)
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Horton became the de facto leader of Team USA after Paul Hamm's withdrawal. He then had the competition of his life -- helping the team onto the podium and earning himself an individual medal on high bar.
Paul Hamm (USA) (Withdrew from the Competition)
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If Hamm had one wish, it would be for everyone to forget the controversy around his 2004 Olympic All-Around win. After a two year sabbatical he came back in 2008, hoping to win another without any scandal -- but an injury derailed his Olympic dreams.
