Companion poll for this thread.

OK, my explanation....

I feel that the arguments for both 1992 and 2000 are very strong. However, I lean towards 1992 with the caveat about Lilia Podkopayeva. She was truly old-school.

You need more options...

SJPavlova wrote:

You need more options...

Do tell! I can edit it if necessary.

I voted 2005.

The open ended system changed gymnastics more than any other thing.

So let's go for 1992.

'96 was a fundamental year too but only due to the elimination of the compulsories.
And as I remember, '95 and '96 routines are more 'modern' than the '93 ones. Birmingham Worlds in 93 kept the spirit of old gym. Brisbane '94 took another way with repetitive routines and I think less inovative works.

So '92 to end the old school time, 93/96 is the transitional time, and after 97 is the 'modern' era.

I tend towards 1992 as well. With the Soviets competing together as a team for the last time this way a deciding moment. I also consider people like Mitova and Onodi old school and they competed around this time, so to me this seems the turning point.

I wanna say 2005 as well. Just because after that, it all went completely over my head! Although...it's a tough call between 2005 or 2000. No, I'll go with '05

I voted 1992. Ussr collapse was a total earthquake!

I'm voting for 1996 for a few reasons. The abolition of the compulsories after the Atlanta games is one of the primary reasons, but the increase in the age limit in 1997 (1997 Worlds was the first major competition where I remember multiple qualified gymnasts being excluded based on age), vault values of 10.0 becoming more difficult to acheive, the fade of the old Soviet countries (Bulgaria, Ukraine, etc...) after 1996, and an increasing emphasis of difficulty over artistry all factor into my choice, as well. Gymnastics from 1998 on is particularly distinct from the gymnastics that came in the 30 years before- these changes were only just starting to be visible in 1997. As gymnasts got older and difficulty requirements went up, the artistry vanished and body lines became thicker and less flexible. Tricksters who can do big, but unrefined, skills started to become more visible on the international scene.

I can see the case for 1992, as well, but I feel that most of what made gymnastics so wonderful persisted into 1996. 2005 also could be used, but I think the turn towards the new system began back before 2000, and the mess that was the Sydney competition really pushed gymnastics in a new direction.

Ozrussia wrote:

So let's go for 1992.

'96 was a fundamental year too but only due to the elimination of the compulsories.
And as I remember, '95 and '96 routines are more 'modern' than the '93 ones. Birmingham Worlds in 93 kept the spirit of old gym. Brisbane '94 took another way with repetitive routines and I think less inovative works.

So '92 to end the old school time, 93/96 is the transitional time, and after 97 is the 'modern' era.

haha i like this explanation.....i like the 93-96 is the transitional time!!