Redemption arrives
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
PHILADELPHIA -- Alexander Artemev and Justin Spring both came to the Olympic trials with something to prove. Especially Artemev.
Artemev has been tagged as an Olympic star for almost eight years but he suffered through several ugly falls during nationals last month, including twice in a row on the pommel horse, the event in which he won a world championship bronze medal in 2006. ‘I knew I didn’t do well enough at nationals,’ Artemev said Thursday after he finished first overall and first on the pommel horse with a score of 15.650. ‘I don’t know what it is. I don’t call it nerves. But I have to get better.’
Spring, who is still recovering from reconstructive knee surgery he had after the 2007 nationals and working on a sprained ankle he acquired because he sometimes favors the knee, said he has decided to ignore any pain and go all out on every routine.
‘There are doubts about me,’ Spring said. ‘People think I’m physically fragile or that I’m trying to protect myself. That’s not good enough to make this team.
‘I went for everything tonight and I’ll do it again Saturday. Just give me another month of training. Put me on this team. Because I will help. I absolutely will.’
-- Diane Pucin
Top photo: Justin Spring competes in the parallel bars during the first night of the men’s Olympic trials. Credit: Howard Smith / US Presswire
Lower photo: Alexander Artemev shows the strain as he dismounts from the parallel bars. Credit: Julie Jacobson / Associated Press