Day One

Louis Smith (GBR): “I wouldn't say I was nervous but I was trying to do a routine I hadn't competed before. I could have played it safe and got bronze but the whole idea is to get ready for 2012. To have any chance of a gold I need to do a harder routine. I'm obviously upset I fell off but I'm looking forward to 2012. It would have been nice to join Dan [Keatings] and have a medal around my neck. I would have felt more pressure if no-one had won a medal, it took the pressure off me. My next goal is the Europeans Championships coming up in next spring. But 2012 is the ultimate goal. The routine I did today was the one I will perform at 2012."  

Marian Dragulescu (ROM) – Gold on Floor
General impressions of the arena and the equipment:
“It was very good, I was feeling very good here in London”
On whether he retired and decided to make a comeback:
“I had a few accidents in 2007 and hit my head on the Floor in the European Championships.  I had some problems with my neck and spine and after the Olympics I still had pain so I chose to finish my career.  I had a break for eight months and then felt better and thought why not try again to win, I felt I could still win medals.  I am glad as today I won; it was a tough competition with young, powerful gymnasts but I’m glad as I finished first.”

Kayla Williams (USA) – Gold on Vault
General impressions of the arena and the equipment:
“The O2 was beautiful, the arena is amazing and the Olympics will do very well here.”
On whether she watched the Olympics in Beijing and her journey over the last 12 months:
“I was watching the Olympic Games, I’ve been so thrilled with how my season has gone as I competed at level 10 and now I’m elite and world champion.  It’s been amazing but now I want to concentrate on getting back into training.”

He Kexin (CHI) – Gold on Uneven Bars
General impressions of the arena and the equipment:
“The audience were so passionate and I felt so excited because of them.  The equipment was very good.”
On whether there was a lot of pressure and expectation after the success of Beijing:
“I felt very relaxed here, there was no pressure as there was no team event and we focused on the individual events. We have just finished our National Games so our condition is a little low, so our coaches asked us to do our best.”

Hongtao Zhang (CHI) – Gold on Pommel Horse
General impressions of the arena and the equipment:
“I like the audience here and the beautiful city and constructions around this venue.”

On whether there was a lot of pressure and expectation after the success of Beijing:
“Actually there was no pressure as our coaches and officials said to relax and to study other gymnasts and to practice.”

On whether he thought he had won when he finished his pommel routine:
“After I finished I just celebrated for myself as I performed well, almost perfect, I didn’t realize I had won the title.”

Yan Mingyong (CHI) – Gold on Rings
On whether he thought he could still win gold after a mistake on his landing:
“The landing was not a big mistake, just a step and then I controlled myself, and I thought I was still able to win.”