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MARTIN: |
This is wonderful to be down here on the floor with the athletes. I
appreciate it, Bret. |
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BRET: |
You
can tell what's going on much better. |
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MARTIN: |
Is
this meet for men and women? |
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BRET: |
Yes. The meet actually starts tomorrow. Today is warm up and
practice. |
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MARTIN: |
But
there's a crowd today. |
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BRET: |
Oh,
yes. Gymnastics is quite popular. Not all the athletes are here yet.
Some of the international teams won't arrive until tonight. |
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MARTIN: |
So
what are they doing today? |
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BRET: |
Both the men and women practice. The men practice this morning and
the women practice this afternoon. Tonight there's an exhibition of
high school gymnasts. |
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MARTIN: |
What do you mean exhibition? |
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BRET: |
It's not an official meet. They're just putting on a show for us.
They aren't competing in the official meet. They're from the area
high schools. |
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MARTIN: |
I
didn't know high schools had gymnastic programs. |
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BRET: |
Not
many do. Let's watch some of the men. |
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MARTIN: |
Can
we watch the parallel bars? That young man looks really good. |
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BRET: |
He
is. He's one of the best. Notice how fast he is. |
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MARTIN: |
But
he's very smooth. |
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BRET: |
That's the idea. He has to show lots of energy. But there can't be a
break. Every movement has to be smooth. |
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MARTIN: |
That's beautiful. |
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BRET: |
You'll like the next one too. He's the youngest of the male
athletes. |
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MARTIN: |
Aren't the parallel bars difficult for a beginner? Well, I guess
everything is difficult for a beginner. |
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BRET: |
You're right. It does take quite a lot of experience to be great on
the parallel bars. |
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MARTIN: |
Look at that! He is really talented. |
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BRET: |
I
think he is going to be fantastic. |
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MARTIN: |
What does he need? |
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BRET: |
He
just needs more experience. You should see him on the rings. |
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MARTIN: |
Why? |
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BRET: |
He's wonderful. |
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MARTIN: |
Where do the athletes train, in school? |
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BRET: |
No,
that's not enough. Some schools have programs, but the athletes have
to train privately. |
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MARTIN: |
They're so young. |
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BRET: |
Wait until you see the female gymnasts. They're really just girls.
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MARTIN: |
What's your favorite event? |
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BRET: |
I
like the rings. That was my best event. That's how I got to the
Olympics. I got a silver medal on the rings. |
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MARTIN: |
I
remember. I always watch gymnastics on television during the
Olympics. Oh, that's wonderful. |
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BRET: |
I
told you. He'll win a medal in the meet tomorrow. He has so much
strength. |
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BRET: |
Will you be able to come this afternoon? |
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MARTIN: |
Yes, I'd like to see the women. |
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BRET: |
Good. See you then. |
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