Final Sydney 2000 video: Elena Zamolodchikova EF FX. 

This power-packed routine got Elena a massive 9.85 and the gold medal over her countrywoman Svetlana Khorkina and Romanian Simona Amanar. Her dance leaves a lot to be desired but her energy and determination totally make up for it. Elena showed us a nearly flawless double-double; a one and a half through to triple twist; whip to HUGE double twist to punch front; and a full-in as her fourth pass, all with very tidy landings!

She definitely commands the attention of the audience, too, you can even see the other gymnasts watching her in the background! Raducan especially seems mesmerized at about 1:01, teehee! I also love how she always showed her emotions at the end of her routines, this is very evident mainly after her vaults with her huge smiles, but it’s great to see that, since many gymnasts keep their poker-face going the whole time.

Second to last Sydney 2000 video! It’s Esther Moya’s floor routine from event finals. If you’ll remember, Esther was the one whose awesome vault got Spain the score they needed to push past Australia into that final spot for team finals. Sorry, Australia, but this girl sure knows how to deliver under pressure!

Esther got a 9.70 for this routine and placed fourth, which is kind of crazy. 9.7 was a really good score back then, and she wasn’t even top 3! Then again, she did have Zamolodchikova, Khorkina, and Amanar in the top 3….also three incredible gymnasts.

Anyways, there is some incredible tumbling in this routine with some top-notch landings. I also enjoy her semi-wild choice of music! It fits well with the wild leotards the Spanish seem to enjoy so much, haha!

Finally, my favorite routine from Sydney 2000: Andreea Raducan FX! I don’t care about cold pills, this girl won the AA hands down in my book! She’s so adorable and smiley, plus she’s got some killer passes in this routine. Finally, she’s one of the few Romanians, even to date, to actually show any expression through choreography in her floor routine! Seriously, Amanar and Olaru’s FX’s in the AA were such a snooze….watching Andreea is a pleasure! The fist pump at the end is so cute….hope y’all love this routine too!

Continuing with my ‘00 Olympics videos, the next one I really loved was Yang Yun’s Floor Exercise! Age controversy aside, this was definitely my favorite floor routine of the games, hands down. The choreography is amazing, her presentation is amazing, the tumbling is amazing, this routine just plain rocks! It is so exquisite, and really a pleasure to watch. I hope you guys enjoy it!