While collating my collection of old Dance Magazines, I came across a column by Ann Barzel in the December, 1968 issue. She had some very nice things to say about the gymnasts participating: "The televised Olympics from Mexico City offered some fine near-dancing in the gymnastic competitions. The Russians were balletically graceful and Czech champion Vera Caslavska was stunning in her display of floor exercises. But the real dance talent, which someone should snatch from the jaws of the gymnasium and lead to genuine dance, is little American Cathy Rigby. Coordination and litheness all gymnasts have, but this 15 year old also has grace and an innate beauty of movement. Won't you come and dance, Cathy?" I also remember when the Russian team became such a sensation, and the old "Gymnast" magazine put out some special publications about them (which I still have). Tourischeva was highly praised, and justifiably so, and the writer said that she was a "strikingly beautiful young woman" (with which I agree), but went on to say that after her gymnastics career was over, she "should have a long career in ballet." Well, Luda was a great dancer as a gymnast, but I am afraid that she was just not built for ballet, and this from someone who has always adored T as her favorite gymnast (except for possibly Olga). Anyway, thought you would be interested in what dance writers thought about dance in gymnastics--
Dance Magazine columnist praises 1968 Olympics FX gymnasts
