All-Around, Individual, Women

The format was different in 2004, with only 24 women advancing to the final round from the team qualifying, with no more than two allowed from any nations. Qualifying scores did not carry over to the final round. Previously, there were 36 finalists, with three allowed from each nation. This format had been used at the 2003 World Championships, although it had actually been used at the 1993 Worlds as well, but the format reverted to the 36/3 rule from 1995-2001. Russia’s Svetlana Khorkina was the favorite. She was World all-around champion in 1997, 2001, and 2003 but had never even won a medal at the Olympics in the all-around. Her main competition was expected to come from American Carly Patterson, who was runner-up at the 2003 Worlds, and had won the American Cup in 2003-04. Patterson led the qualifying with Khorkina fifth, but the final was close throughout. Patterson led after three rotations with both performing on floor to end the competition. Khorkina performed first, scoring 9.562 in a graceful routine that lacked some athleticism. Patterson then hit all four of her tumbling passes, and scored 9.712 to claim the gold medal. Behind Khorkina, China’s Zhang Nan won the bronze medal, as she had at the 2003 Worlds, as the 2004 Olympic and 2003 World podiums had the same three gymnasts, with Khorkina and Patterson exchanging places.