Cathy Rigby 1972 Olympics Team Optionals BB

[@erinwalker711]

Cathy Rigby helped set the template for American gymnasts to be competitive. Though she never won a medal at the Olympics that she participated in,she inspired a generation.

[@EdGringo78]

Wow, isn't it amazing how much gymnastics has changed over the years??

[@carolhutchinson7763]

This is artistic gymnastics. Today it's acrobatic gymnastics.

[@saragrant9749]

Today gymnastics is done by ATHLETES, not starved little girls who are constantly abused and mistreated by coaches paid to do just that.

[@marwahussein666]

Acrobatic gymnastics is more artistic than modern artistic gymnastics 😅

[@hyacinthlynch843]

I agree 100%.

[@bluebee5266]

It's not gymnastics anymore. It's tumbling.

[@bluebee5266]

​​@@saragrant9749 Yes, like weight-lifting and shot-putting. None of it is artistic.

[@christiansongsister]

I wonder how many gymnasts today could do one-armed walkovers on the beam, an extremely difficult skill. Considering how many elites fell performing a simple garrison (forward roll) on the beam in 1996, I have a feeling not a lot of them could pull it off

[@metsdudenj]

Zuchold had a higher beam score in the AA which is what broke the tie

[@shimmeringfairydust3275]

Back when WOMEN competed in this sport, some at several Olympics. Now it's just little girls who get one shot. Sad. Women's figure skating is taking that unfortunate turn, too.

[@cecilianovais212]

she was only 19 in this video

[@bethanycook8430]

9.35? Seems like it should be higher

[@kathyhoward9223]

To the person who said she sloppy that is so untrue. She was pure grace

[@lauralawson6751]

70,s were much prettier than now

[@These2SexyEyes]

But what about those silly 70s sox?? I'm a MODERN gymnast, and in MY eyes😳👁👁, bare feet👣is WAY better! I *_never_* wear sox!🦵👣

[@searanch32]

So what did they use to break the tie to determine which gymnast qualified to EF?

[@marwahussein666]

It's Miyuki Matsuhisa on floor? 0:31

[@xsarabearx1]

oh Peter!

[@TheJuicyBunj]

She didn't appear to be at her complete best at these Olympics on beam which is sad because this really was HER event. But nevertheless, she lead the US team to a 4th place finish which would be the best US finish in a fully attended games until 1988, and it wouldn't be beat until 1992.

[@cherylannemason]

As I recall, she had an injury during the Olympic Trials which would've meant somewhat less time to prepare. Definitely unfortunate, since she was defending world silver medalist and could've definitely been a contender in Munich for this event.

[@htownhomie06]

did she leave it out? lol, these commentators act like they'd never even seen gymnastics, lol.

[@christystewart4567]

htownhomie06 for the most part they hadn’t. The main announcer here is Jim McKay whose specialty was horse racing. But he was also lead announcer for ABC at the time and I suppose the reason for his being here was because of the immense interest shown for gymnastics in these games starting with the team event. Otherwise he wouldn’t have been here.

[@metsedudenj]

AA placing

[@usfanlovesjiwoo1978]

I was never impressed by Cathy Rigby. IMO she was just ok compared to other gymnasts like Olga and then later, Nadia who were amazing.

[@metsdudenj]

It was a different time period and the US team was still in its infant stages. She was the best non Soviet or East German in the Olympics

[@lgempet2869]

I agree….she had “cute & adorable” going for her (clearly that seemed to have greater importance at that time😏) but I always thought her skill-level was just ok.

[@metsdudenj]

@@lgempet2869 considering at the time she was the best non Soviet or DDR gymnast, I would say pretty impressive skills