The Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) on Saturday expressed outrage over the “injustice” of Israel’s Linoy Ashram won the gold medal In the Olympic rhythmic gymnastics individual all-around final, three-time world champion Dina Averina to end two decades of Russian dominance.
“The whole world has seen this injustice,” tweeted ROC. The same account later posted a statement by Averina, which read: “My conscience is clear, I still believe I won.”
The 22-year-old Ashram led the final for the first three rounds with an almost impeccable performance and despite a mistake in her closing ribbon routine, won on an aggregate of 107,800 points, just 0.150 ahead of Averina.
Averina needed to score at least 24.15 for her ribbon routine, but despite what the Russians called an “excellent” performance, she scored 24 and finished second.
“That’s what I’ve dreamed of all my life,” Ashram said after his victory.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be standing on the podium and in first place, at this point in time,” said the gymnast who was chosen to carry the flag at the closing ceremony.
“It’s a crazy experience that I still haven’t fully digested,” Ashram said.
The ROC team recorded several inquiries into the score, including the ribbon routine, but the points remained. After this, silver medalist Averina fiercely targeted the judges.
“I don’t think it was fair today and it was clear from the first equipment when … I got a low score, so I can’t say it was very fair,” said Averina, who is taking care of a back injury from last year
Dina Averina of Russia competes in the individual all-around final of the rhythmic gymnastics event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 7, 2021 at the Ariake Gymnastics Center in Tokyo. (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP)
“I didn’t see any obvious mistakes I had made. I was pretty consistent and clean compared to Lenoy, who had lost the mechanism,” Averina said.
She said she and her sister would likely retire before the Paris 2024 Games
“I think it’s pretty clear that I’m a little upset,” a tearful Averina told reporters.
Not surprisingly, the ashram had no objection from the judges.
“The decision was great. We have no problem,” she said. “I focus only on myself. I worked very hard for this.”
Israel’s Linoy Ashram competes in the individual all-around final of the rhythmic gymnastics event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games on August 7, 2021 at the Ariake Gymnastics Center in Tokyo. (Martin Bureau/AFP)
The ashram led the first three rounds. The scintillating performance of the clubs, which scored 28.650 points, was the main attraction.
But he offered Averina a chance to overhaul him with a drop in the ribbon, potentially costing him a whole point.
Israel’s Linoy Ashram remembers the ribbon as she competes in the individual all-around final of the rhythmic gymnastics event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center in Tokyo on August 7, 2021. (Martin Bureau/AFP)
Averina built a neat routine, preceded by a painful wait as the judges were absolutely sure of the score.
Averina was judged in no time, with Ashram confirmed as champion after a final Russian inquiry request.
Ashram peers and the Israeli media celebrated in otherwise mainly empty stands, while a devastated Averina was in tears.
Dina Averina of the Russian Olympic Committee reacts after watching her final score in the individual all-around rhythmic gymnastics final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) August 7, 2021.
Ashram’s medal was Israel’s fourth in Tokyo and its second gold at these Olympic Games. She is the first Israeli woman to win the top medal.
He was apparently carried as Israel’s national anthem, Hatikva, was playing through the gymnastics center as the flag was raised after the victory.
It was the first time a Russian gymnast had failed to win the event since the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and it was arguably one of the biggest upsets in the history of the sport.
Russian gymnasts have also won 12 gold medals from the last 14 world championships. He missed twice in 2001, when Alina Kabaeva was stripped of her title after testing positive for a banned diuretic.
Israel’s Ashram, the 2018 world all-around silver medalist, didn’t expect to beat identical twin sisters Dina and Arina Averina.
Dina Averina (L) of Russia reacts next to her sister Arina Averina at the end of the individual all-around final of the rhythmic gymnastics event during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at the Ariake Gymnastics Center on August 7, 2021 in Tokyo. (Lionel Bonaventure/AFP)
Between them, the twins had won every major championship they competed for since the 2016 Rio Olympics.
They also finished first and second in Friday’s qualifying, with Ashram fluttering her circle after finishing third.
Arina completely missed the podium with the pair more than 20 minutes old as a knot in her ribbon allowed Alina Hernasco of Belarus to win the bronze medal with a score of 102.700 points.
The ashram has been participating in international competitions since 2014. Now she has 92 medals in various international competitions.
