Columnist Ron Kantowski: No second chances in gymnastics

Thursday, Aug. 21, 2003 | 9 a.m.

Ron Kantowski is a Las Vegas Sun sports writer. Reach him at ron@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4088.

Created in 1881, the International Gymnastics Federation is the longest standing federation in sports. It even predates the International Olympic Committee. And the Olympic Organizing Committee Money Under the Table Club.

In fact, it is so old that when it was formed, winning and losing was irrelevant, or at least secondary to the Wonder Bread ideals of building a strong mind and body.

"My idea is always the same," said Nicolas J. Cuperus, the federation's first president, "and I look forward to the time when competitions will be unnecessary, with the gymnasts receiving the exact amount of health, strength and agility and endurance as the only rewards for their effort."

Las Vegas' Tasha Schwikert is the epitome of health, strength, agility and endurance -- and showed it in helping the U.S. team overcome injuries and illness to win the team gold medal Wednesday at the World Gymnastics Championships at the Arrowhead Pond.

In fact, her coach confirmed as much after Schwikert, a two-time U.S. all-around champion who was considered a strong contender for an individual medal at Anaheim, stumbled through a rare off night in Sunday's prelims.

"She's pretty devastated," said Cassie Rice, proprietor of Gymcats in Henderson, where Schwikert trains. "It's an unfortunate outcome after working so hard. She was the most prepared she's ever been, and I've never seen pressure get to her like this.

"I don't have many answers. But we will regroup and work hard for next year to have another go at this."

Kind of sounds like the Cubs -- wait till next year. But at least there is a next year, as 2004 is an Olympic year -- the only time those of us who don't parade around in a leotard or aren't of Greco or Roman ancestry pay attention to many of these sports.

But what if this had happened in Athens? In gymnastics, years of training can be canceled out in the fraction of a second it takes to make a mistake or bobble in front of judges who never blink.

With the possible exception of being called out of the stands to kick a field goal at halftime of the Big 12 championship game to win a lifetime supply of Dr. Pepper, I can't think of another sports activity where you don't get a second chance upon stubbing your toe.

That's literally what Schwikert did in the prelims. She stubbed her toe and made a bad landing in the floor exercise. The judges marked her down like a department store sweater in June.

There are no do-overs in gymnastics. No mulligans. There aren't 17 more holes to make up for a shanked 4-iron on No. 1.

In gymnastics, you're up only once. So you had better hit a home run. Or about .950. In gymnastics, a perfect score is 10. That's a Bo Derek. Jennifer Lopez and other 8.5s don't qualify for the finals, they watch them on TV.

Moreover, I can't think of another sport where the investment so outweighs the dividend. At Schwikert's level, teenagers forsake most of the joy of being one for the chance of winning a gold medal.

But let's say you just happen to save your best performance for the Olympics. What's the most you can hope for? Your picture on a Wheaties box?

There aren't many .230 hitters who can say they've had their picture on a Wheaties box. But who cares about cereal when you're eating steak and eggs for breakfast?

That's why you've got to admire athletes such as Tasha Schwikert. Even in the agony of defeat, the elusive thrill of victory, and not its spoils, is enough to keep them going.