So where’s all the gold? Worst Olympic medal count since 1984 for China’s Rio gymnasts
Chinese gymnasts delivered their worst Olympic performances since the nation re-entered the summer Games in 1984, taking home only two bronzes from Rio.
It was a huge setback for China, who have traditionally dominated the gymnastics arenas.
In the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Chinese gymnasts bagged nine golds, one silver and four bronzes. Just four years ago in London, China took home four golds and three silvers.
“I felt some pressure,” 24-year-old Deng Shudi said after a fourth-place finish in the men’s parallel bars final at the Rio Olympic Arena. “I didn’t get to sleep until 2 or 3am. I don’t know. I just couldn’t fall asleep. I just laid on my bed. I just don’t know what happened. My brain is empty.”
All gymnastics competitions came to an end after the 11th day of the Games.
WATCH: golden moments on Day 11 at the Rio Olympics
She appeared confident after delivering an almost perfect execution on the floor, blowing a kiss to the television camera after her performance.
It was a heart-breaking moment when the 16-year-old Wang suddenly broke down in tears while talking to journalists after the competition.
“I’m a little bit relieved because it’s been a long journey. I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it and I know our team has. It’s been very long and, competing so many times this week, it kind of got tiring. We just wanted to end on a good note,” Biles said.
“It’s very crazy. To think what I’ve done, its been an amazing experience and I don’t think I could be more proud of myself.”
Chinese gymnasts have only won bronze in the men’s team and another bronze in women’s team.
The days when the mere sight of the likes of Li Ning, Yang Wei and Li Xiaoshuang struck fear into their opponents’ hearts appear to be over.
Of the five female Chinese gymnast who competed in Rio, none of them has taken part in the Olympics before. Three of them are 16 years old, one is 19 and the other 20.
Of the five male gymnasts, aged 20 to 27, only Zhang Chenglong has previous Olympic experience.