It was almost a symbol of the contemporary struggle for the identity of gymnastics. First, we saw Britain's Claudia Fragapane, completing with verve and energy the powerful tricks and tumbling that gained the diminutive gymnast the title 'Pocket Rocket'. Next, we saw the elegant line and gravity defying artistry of the regal Ksenia Afanasyeva, graceful in both her gymnastics and her manner. They were both compelling, but only one gymnast showed the purity and harmony that was once de rigeur in the sport, and that has frequently elevated artistic gymnastics above a form of energetic, cheerleading contortionism. Thankfully, at least, the judges recognised the differences in what they were seeing. Just. Finally, as the last performer of the day, the 23 year old Afanasyeva was crowned Europe's Floor Queen once more, repeating the award she won two years ago in Moscow. She was delighted, danced a little jig, and threw herself into the fatherly embrace of Dr Timonkin, Russia's team doctor for many years, who has helped his gymnasts through so many turbulent times.
Afanasyeva's posture, lift and expression has always been unquestionable; today it was added to with a serene determination. Almost perfect in all but one skill - her triple twist, in which she took half a step backwards - Russia's returning champion quietly asserted her right to gold with a comeback performance that all but matched her gold medal winning routine at the 2011 World Championships. Choreography and expression is less about performing tricky gimmicks with a brash smile than it is about rising above the difficulty to perform an exercise that is a consummate whole. Afanasyeva's bearing told the whole story here; simple dance only emphasises the unique quality of movement that stems from having trained in the classical tradition from day one of her career, now some nineteen years ago. She will never lose that shine.
With this medal Afanasyeva became Russia's biggest medal winner at these Championships, her gold complemented by a bronze on vault (where she presented a surprise Amanar). This surely cements her candidacy for a place on the Russian team at Worlds in Glasgow this autumn, provided she can remain in good health.
Congratulations to all the team - every single gymnast took a medal.
Maria Kharenkova - silver all around
Maria Paseka - gold in vault with another surprise Amanar, and a rather messy Cheng ('She is a lucky gymnast', said head coach Andrei Rodionenko, 'She wasn't even in the line up for the team, flew out the night before qualifications, then got a gold in finals.'. I am not sure if this bodes well or otherwise for the pretty Muscovite, when it comes to selection for Worlds ...)
Daria Spiridinova - gold on bars with a beautiful routine.
Commiserations to young Kharenkova for her mishap on beam today - so near, and yet so far. Maria fell on the layout back somersault that is a highlight of her fast paced work, then missed out her required leap series, losing what otherwise would have been a clear gold for her. It's all grist to the mill, though. Maria will learn from her mistake and come back next time, stronger. Coach Olga Sagina will help her along the way.
So Romania's Andreea Munteanu gave her country's system a boost when she won a relatively unexpected gold. This left the gold medal summary at event finals looking as if there had been a time warp - Russia, Russia, Romania, Russia.
But the big gold, the one they all wanted, went to Switzerland's Giulia Steingrueber - I wonder who will win it next year?
You will find all of the results here - http://www.longinestiming.com/Competition?id=00000E0000FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF&sport=GA&year=2015a
Video of Ksenia on floor - http://youtu.be/UjYa-GcEsic