Rankings distort real shape of gymnastics world: Chinese coach
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2004-05-10 10:04

The current world rankings under-represent the real strength of some world top gymnasts, Chinese head coach said after the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) updated the world ranking lists following the 2004 European Championships.

According to the latest men's and women's world rankings per apparatus, announced after the 2004 European Championships concluded in Amsterdam, European gymnasts still dominate the gymnastics world. China, which collected five golds to top the overall standings in last year's world championships, only have two gymnasts in top three.

Chinese head coach Huang Yubin thought the world rankings is to encourage gymnasts to participate in more competitions but does not reflect gymnasts' real strength.

"Actually gymnasts from Asia and America have made great achievement recently," Huang said.

"The ongoing FIG world ranking lists is in conjunction with the World Cup system, which aims to reward the gymnasts based on their regularity."

"You take part in more world cup competitions, you get more points and your ranking goes up. However, some non-European top gymnasts will choose to skip some World Cup events, mostly held in Europe, especially in the Olympic year."

"So did we this year since it's not worthwhile to travel a long way and risk our gymnasts' fitness before the Athens Olympic Games. We value the Olympic Games most."

But Huang said the world ranking lists is a good way to honor the gymnast who has consistently proven him or herself.

The top gymnasts of each World Ranking List per apparatus qualify for the World Cup Final that will take place in Birmingham, Britain, on December 11-12, 2004.

China's Li Xiaopeng, double apparatus champion in last year's championships, still tops men's parallel bars rankings and his fellow Chinese Huang Xu ranked third while most of the top three gymnasts in other apparatuses are from Europe.

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