Rings, Men

As in 1992, eight gymnasts advanced to the final round based on the qualifying scores in the team all-around, with a maximum of two per nation, but the final placements were determined only by the score posted in the final round. Italian Jury Chechi was the overwhelming favorite, having won the rings World title from 1993-96, the last four European Championships, and three of the last four European Cups. Chechi won the gold medal in Atlanta, and in 2004 won a bronze medal on rings in Athinai. Chechi had also finished sixth in the event at the 1988 Olympics. His Olympic record might well have been more impressive but he missed the 1992 Olympics because of a torn Achilles’ tendon, and the 2000 Olympics because of a torn biceps tendon. Behind Chechi, the silver medals were shared by Hungary’s Szilveszter Csollány silver medalist at the 1995 Worlds and bronze medalist at the 1994 Worlds, and Romania’s Dan Burincă . Csollány was also a rings specialist, having won silver at the 1992 and 1996 World Championships. He would win the gold medal on rings at Sydney in 2000 and the 2002 World Championships.