The High And the Sprightly

With breathtaking leaps and vaults, Soviet gymnasts sweep most of the gold

| When the great scorecard for 1988 Soviet achievements is totted up, Mikhail Gorbachev's perestroika campaign may receive a modest 8.0 (a bit wobbly on the takeoff) and the return of the Soyuz spacecraft will be lucky to secure a 7.5 (very shaky on the landing). But the Soviet gymnasts, men and women alike, will score a 10 because their performance in Seoul was just that: perfect.

With matchless artistry and unfaltering poise, the Soviets stormed Seoul's gymnastics hall and marched away with most of the glittering loot. Gold honors went to both the women's and men's teams, the latter setting...

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