APPARATUS FINAL DAY 2

Monday, 18 August 2008, 18:00 - 20:15 local time.

Men's Rings
6 countries represented in the Final:  x2 - CHN and ITA; x1- BUL, UKR, FRA, ROU. 2004 Olympic Champion Dimostenis Tambacos (GRE) - did not participate in Beijing.

The two outstanding 'rings-workers' in this Final are the 2006/2007 World Champion Chen Yibin CHN, and Jordan Jovchev BUL, former twice World Champion (2001/2003). Both have the same difficulty value- 7.3, and are absolute masters of their strength parts. Appearing in his 5th Olympics, it is to be hoped that Jovchev, Bronze medallist in Sydney and Silver medallist in Athens, reaches the podium in his farewell and on his favourite apparatus in Beijing.

The new Olympic All-around Champion Yang Wei will also target the podium along with the only Apparatus finalist from Ukraine- Oleksandr Vorobiov, the recognized Italian rings masters Morandi and Coppolino; Pinheiro Rodrigues FRA and Stanescu ROM.

Men's Vault
6 countries represented in the Final:  x2 ROU and FRA, x1- POL, BLR, RUS, ESP. 2004 Olympic Champion Gervasio Deferr (ESP)- did not qualify for the Vault Final in Beijing.

Apart from the twice Olympic Champion Gervasio Deferr ESP and one of the most recognised vaulters in the world Kyle Shewfelt CAN, who took part in Competition 1 but did not qualify to this Final, the 'greats' of height, flight and spring, are gathered in this event. Only the former twice World Champion in this event Marian Dragulescu ROU (2005/2006), has the edge in Start Value with his second Vault (Round off ½ turn, salto fwd 2 ½ twists- 7.2 SV).

The current World and European Champion Leszek Blanik POL and 2007 European Champion Anton Golotsutskov RUS are also in contention along with the surprising Olympic All-around Bronze medallist from France Benoit Caranobe and his teammate Thomas Bouhail.  2006 World Silver medallist on Vault Dmitry Kaspiarovich BLR and the Spaniard Isaac Botella are also in this Final.

Women's A. Bars
6 countries represented in the Final:  x2 CHN and UKR; x1- RUS, ROU, USA, GBR. 2004 Olympic Champion Emilie Le Pennec (FRA) - did not participate in Beijing.

Former World Champion Beth Tweddle GBR 'hung-on' courageously to qualify in eighth place. The new Queen of Gymnastics Nastia Liukin USA, another favourite survived a mat placement 'stagger' to place 5th in the Qualifications. HE Kexin CHN fell, but still qualified, her exceptional exercise has medal potential.

Ukraine added two finalists to this List - expected Daria Zgoba and not so expected Anastasia Koval.

Romanian Steliana Nistor also reached the Final without visible troubles.
The two leaders form the Qualifications Yang Yilin CHN and current World Champion Ksenia Semenova RUS will, indeed, be strongly challenged. Expect an extraordinary Final!