Xuan ends Russian domination

Liu Xuan shows great poise on her way to gold

China's Liu Xuan ended Russia's domination of the women's apparatus finals by winning Olympic gold in the beam, but Russia still took seven of the 12 medals available.

Liu, the last of eight competitors, turned in a near-flawless performance that earned a winning mark of 9.825.

Russian Ekaterina Lobazniouk, a bronze medallist on the vault on Sunday, took silver with 9.787 followed closely by her team-mate Elena Prodounova with 9.775.

"After 1996 I decided I did not want to carry on," said Liu, who came out of retirement for the Sydney Games. "To get the gold today is just the best ever result.

"I don't believe age has anything to do with this sport. If you like the sport and you're willing to put in the effort, that's what matters. As long as you love your sport you will do well."

Elena Zamolodtchikova shows off her floor gold

Normal service was resumed in the floor exercise as Russia's Elena Zamolodtchikova claimed her second Olympic gold in as many days.

Zamolodtchikova replaced Svetlana Khorkina in the vault on Sunday to claim her first gold and then relegated her more illustrious team-mate to silver with a floor mark of 9.850.

The 18-year-old could now become one of the major stars of the future.

"I believe I have more opportunities in this sport," said Zamolodtchikova. "I will continue to train and try to obtain better results.

"With the new rules I will get even better scores," she warned.

Khorkina looked to have collected her second gold when her mark of 9.812 flashed on the screen, but Zamolodtchikova had other ideas. Romanian Simona Amanar took the bronze.

The apparatus finals brought an end to a dismal gymnastics competition for the Americans who will return home with no medals for the first time since the 1972 Munich Olympics.