Halfway through the women's all-around competition in Sydney, Australian gymnast Allana Slater noticed something very wrong and brought it to the attention of her coaches and the meet officials. The vaulting horse, specified to be set at a height of 125 cm, had been set 5 cm too low. The officials immediately raised the horse and allowed any gymnast who had already vaulted the opportunity to vault again.
It was too late for some gymnasts, however. The Olympic favorite (and all-around leader from preliminaries), Svetlana Khorkina, had vaulted – and crashed – her attempts earlier on in the competition. Distraught that she had ruined her chances at Olympic gold, Khorkina went to the next event, uneven bars, and fell there as well. Later, when the height error was discovered, she was told she could re-do her vaults. But with a low score on bars too, her all-around hopes had already been eliminated.
American Elise Ray also had disastrous falls in both the warm-ups and vault competition, and had a chance at winning an all-around medal that day.
In the end, many still wonder if Khorkina would have won it all had she vaulted on the right height.
Watch it:
Svetlana Khorkina on vault in the all-around final
Khorkina on bars in the all-around final
Poll: Do you think Khorkina would have won gold had the vault been set properly?
View Results
It was too late for some gymnasts, however. The Olympic favorite (and all-around leader from preliminaries), Svetlana Khorkina, had vaulted – and crashed – her attempts earlier on in the competition. Distraught that she had ruined her chances at Olympic gold, Khorkina went to the next event, uneven bars, and fell there as well. Later, when the height error was discovered, she was told she could re-do her vaults. But with a low score on bars too, her all-around hopes had already been eliminated.
American Elise Ray also had disastrous falls in both the warm-ups and vault competition, and had a chance at winning an all-around medal that day.
In the end, many still wonder if Khorkina would have won it all had she vaulted on the right height.
Watch it:
Svetlana Khorkina on vault in the all-around final
Khorkina on bars in the all-around final
Poll: Do you think Khorkina would have won gold had the vault been set properly?
View Results
