Insiders knew that a teenager from England had an outside shot at a Pommel medal in Beijing. Louis Smith had finished 3rd at World’s in 2007.
When he took the Bronze, despite form breaks, he became “the first British gymnast to win an individual Olympic medal in 100 years.”
Click PLAY or watch the routine on YouTube.
His coach, Paul Hall, had this to say:
… “He is not the classic proportions for gymnastics, not the normal model for sport but what a competitor, put the pressure on Louis and he deliversâ€. …
Smith is a throwback to old school pommels. He reminds me of Magyar and Philip Delasalle. Very tall. Very slow circles.
I expect Louis will be much more stretched next time we see him. And have an even higher start score.
Of course he will be a media magnet in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics in London.
Gymnastics Coaching.com 