Gymnasts from France

The Womens Team

France is one of the up and coming teams in womens' gymnastics today. The three gymnasts from their team that I've seen - Furnon, Severino, and Teza - all have big tricks and skills that make them stand out. I think this may have been a strategy of the French team. Before last year they were rarely if ever talked about - in the middle of the pack with Hungary, Bulgaria and the rest. With Furnon's choreography, Teza's unique routines, and Severino's Def, they put France on the map of womens' gymnastics. It is a well known fact that it is very difficult for a team to produce champions if they do not have a reputation. Now, France has three gymansts that can be considered threats for medals at the next World Championships. Some people on the mailing list have been criticizing their form. Well, in my opinion, good form doesn't give you an instant reputation. Big tricks do. To find out more about the French Womens' team, visit a page dedicated to them.

Ludivine Furnon

Ludivine is absolutely awesome on floor. She had one of the best choreographed routines at the Olympics in Atlanta but unfortunately failed to make floor finals. I think that what's great about it is that the choreographer seemed to dispense with traditional dance moves and have her do exactly what went with the music.  It's great. I don't specifically remember her other routines although I'm sure I remember seeing her on bars and maybe beam.  Yes, it's time to get out the tapes again.

Isabella Severino

Isabella won the bronze medal on the uneven bars at the 1996 World Championships. She had a fantastic routine including a "Def" release move (a geinger with a full twist). So her form isn't that great. Big deal, at least she does it. Hardly any other gymnasts even attempt this move - male or female. Severino is tall for a gymnast at 5'5. I haven't seen her on many of the other events, but her height doesn't seem to hinder her on bars.

This photo is property of Lani Schea.

Elvire Teza

I still can't believe she won the American Cup. They must have been reading the gymnastics mailing list (everybody was calling it the ScAm cup and noting how non-Americans never win, no matter how good they are). Anyway, I really love her routines. The "Teza" is great (Yurchenko loop with a full twist) as well as her German giants on bars. She also has great choreography on floor. A lot of people criticize her form though. In my opinion, that is not something the fans should harp on now. Elvire is young still - only 15. Very few gymnasts show wonderful form at that age.

This photo is also property of Debbie Poe.