Olympics – 1984 Los Angeles – Gymnastics – Womens Rythmic Finals – CAN Lori Fung

DOG ASIDE:

Lori Fung is a Canadian gymnastics coach and retired rhythmic gymnast….who won the gold medal in women’s rhythmic gymnastics all around at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics….a time when Rhythmic Gymnastics was officially added as an Olympic Sport at the 1984 Olympic Games. The gymnasts from USSR and Bulgaria were favored to win in Rhythmic Gymnastics….but the Eastern Bloc led boycott of the 1984 Olympics meant the top gymnasts were absent….and since Lori Fung had trained with Romanian rhythmic gymnast Doina Stăiculescu in preparation for her upset of Stăiculescu….thus becoming the first recipient of a gold medal the sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics.

Her coach Liliana Dimitrova was Bulgarian-born and settled in Canada in 1976….helping Fung to become the Canadian Champion seven times. She has been inducted into the British Columbia Hall of Fame and Canadian Hall of Fame….and has received the highest Canadian civilian award – The Order of Canada – as well as the Order of British Columbia. Lori has given performances before Pope John Paul II, Prince Charles and Lady Diana, Elton John and the Prime Minister of Canada at the Michener Gala.

She has been a coach for the Canadian National Team, U.S.A. National Team, and Mexico National Team. She is currently a director and coach for Club Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics in British Columbia….and she had a part in the film Catwoman as an aerial ballerina.