All-Around, Individual, Men

The format was the now standard of 36 gymnasts advancing to a final round from the team all-around, with no more than three gymnasts allowed per nation. The total score consisted of 50% of the qualifying scores, and the final round score. The world’s greatest male gymnast in 1984 was Soviet Dmitry Bilozerchev who had won the 1983 World Championships at only 16-years-old. His routines were so difficult that he was already being spoken of as perhaps the greatest gymnast ever. But he could not compete in Los Angeles, nor could any Soviet. Japan’s Koji Gushiken had been runner-up to Bilozerchev at the 1983 Worlds and was favored in Los Angeles, but Gushiken qualified only fifth, slightly behind the USA’s Peter Vidmar, who led the qualifying. However, Gushiken posted the highest score in the final round to come back and win the gold medal, with Vidmar taking silver, while China’s Li Ning won the bronze medal. Li would later light the torch at the Opening Ceremony of the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Bilozerchev would also win the 1985 European Championships but shortly after that title, shattered his left leg in a motorcycle accident while driving drunk. Amputation was considered but the leg was saved by using an Ilizarov device, an orthopaedic treatment pioneered by Siberian orthopaedist Gavriil Ilizarov, who practiced in Kurgan. Bilozerchev’s recovery was long and difficult but in 1988 he won a bronze medal in the Olympic all-around.