Ray Zapata was left without a medal in artistic gymnastics in the floor event after finishing seventh in the final. Despite the cries of amazement from the public and his good performance, The jury gave it a lower score (14,333) than in the classification and soon said goodbye to metal.
It was, in fact, a fantastic performance, with somersaults in which he looked more like a dancer than an athlete. With a rumble from the track that almost seemed like it was about to breakbut it was a mere mirage. Zapata was flying at Bercy.
The Spaniard was cheerful, with that smile that never seems to escape. But with obvious gestures of helplessness, because it was difficult for him to understand the jury’s decision.He was the only one who was penalized, for no apparent reason.
💥 𝑬𝑿𝑻𝑹𝑨𝑶𝑹𝑫𝑰𝑵𝑨𝑹𝑰𝑶!
Ray Zapata’s performance has been practically PERFECT
If you allow us, we’ll stay in a loop with this jump.#Paris2024 #ParisRTVE3a #ParisOlympics pic.twitter.com/652OiAlvwQ— RTVE (@rtve) August 3, 2024
A negative surprise
Zapata would have had a chance of winning the bronze medal if he had maintained the score he achieved in qualifying (14.666). Everything pointed to that, But the surprise was negative in this case..
Gold went to Filipino Carlos Yulo (15,000); silver went to Ukrainian Artiom Dolgopyat (14.966); bronze went to British Jake Jarman (14.933). Zapata’s 14.333 was far from the podium positions.
Yulo’s face was one of disbelief when he saw that small difference with Dolgopyat that, almost certainly, gave him the gold medal. He celebrated by clenching his fist and making angry gestures.With the feeling of a resounding success. One that Ray Zapata did not have.
Ray Zapata was left without a medal in artistic gymnastics in the floor event after finishing seventh in the final. Despite the cries of amazement from the public and his good performance, The jury gave it a lower score (14,333) than in the classification and soon said goodbye to metal.
