Gym: Australia misses out on historic gymnastics medal

AAP General News (Australia)
08-18-2004
Gym: Australia misses out on historic gymnastics medal

Australia has missed out on a first-ever Olympic artistic gymnastics medal, finishing
eighth in its maiden appearance in the women's team final.

ALLANA SLATER, MONETTE RUSSO, MELISSA MUNRO, LISA SKINNER, STEPHANIE MOORHOUSE and
KAREN NGUYEN were unable to produce the polished all-around display they had hoped for.

Instead the gold went to defending champions Romania, ahead of fellow gymnastics superpowers
the United States and Russia.

Australia's normally-brilliant 16-year-old MONETTE RUSSO had a particularly unhappy
night, falling twice from the uneven bars to effectively end Australia's medal hopes during
the third rotation.

AAP RTV djw/sp/jjs

KEYWORD: OLY GYM AUST (ATHENS)

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