The 90s International Team Championships: Fingerpainting, Vault Chaos & Olympic Legends in the Making

Relive the ridiculous wonderful, and deeply influential 1997–1999 International Team Championships, the friendly meets that defined pre-Sydney Olympics quad. We break down the biggest moments from Vanessa Atler, Dominique Moceanu, Simona Amanar, Ling Jie, Maria Olaru, Kristen Maloney, Elise Ray, and more—plus China's bars innovation, Romania's beam dominance, and the USA's rising queens. From NBC's fingerpainting fluff pieces to vault disasters, age-rule drama, and iconic routines, we revisit the meets that shaped an Olympic generation. 

RELATED:

• Jakarta Worlds Debrief: The Romanian Drama Explained With Coaches Daymon Jones & Patrick Kiens
• Trouble in Romania
• The History of Romanian Gymnastics (Commissioned)
• 80's Fight! The great Soviet Romanian Rivalry (Commissioned)
• The Fluff Cast: Deva isn't a castle?!
• World Championships Headquarters Videos, Interviews, Podcasts, Fantasy, Guides from Jakarta World Championships
• Behind the Scenes - all episodes

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• The Balance: My Years Coaching Simone Biles

  by Aimee Boorman with Fact Checker. Aimee coached Simone from day one in gymnastics to three back to back World All Around titles, 14 world medals and an unprecedented 5 medals at the Rio Olympics. Get your copy