@Pebbles49 we talk about North Korea and Hong Un-Jong--she won the Olympic gold medal in 2008 in vault and is the reigning world vault champion. Her Amanar is just as good as anyone on any of the "usual suspects" teams, and her Cheng (?) is among the best in the world. I also don't fear for her life every time she steps on a vault runway, unlike Yamilet Pena. North Korea is clearly not a major sporting power, yet she's a fairly consistent medalist on the world and Olympic stage. (North Korea was banned from international competition in 2012, so that's why she wasn't in London.)
We also talk about Claire Martin, from France, whose balance beam is gorgeous...as well as Eythora Thorsdottir (from the Netherlands), who is basically Soviet-level graceful on the floor. Their routines may not have the highest difficulty, but they are *beautiful* and well executed. (see, also: Annia Hatch, originally from Cuba, who won vault bronze in 96 for Cuba and had she been allowed to go to the Olympics would have probably excelled there as well. She eventually moved to the US, married an American, and competed on team USA in the 2004 Olympics.)
Giulia Steingruber, from Switzerland, did very well at the European championships and won three individual medals including gold in the all-around.
Gymnasts who have talent will be recognized for that talent, regardless of how small the country is. Countries like Canada and the UK are producing fantastic WAG teams and individual athletes, and their slow build-up of talent is finally starting to pay off.
I don't know why Yamilet Pena's coach allows her to attempt the Produnova vault. I wish he wouldn't. Her Yurchenko-style vaults are certainly decent and I don't fear for her life every time she does them. She is a talented vaulter--on vaults she's actually capable of executing. This isn't one of them. We could be talking about the DR in the same way we talk about Hong Un-Jong or Giulia Steingruber--but until Pena's coach mans up and does some actual coaching, we're simply going to say a prayer Pena doesn't break her neck trying to "push the envelope."
