Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Full of Joy

In her post event interview Suni Lee (USA) was asked about her performance after winning the Bronze Medal.  She had some troubles in the early rotations, so her response was a lesson to us all.  "I was sure I had no chance for a medal, so I just went out and enjoyed myself."  It showed.  She has had many setbacks that I wrote about earlier, so I imagine that the possibility of not winning an individual medal was a big issue to her.  My hat is off to her to remain that cool, and to do it with that many cameras clicking and whirring away in the background.  Not to mention the TV cameras everywhere, the fans and celebrities filling the venue and all of us watching on various media outlets.  And all that, and she still came away with the Bronze.  Not too shabby.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Full of Joy PO24-51" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Individual All Around

Alice D'Amato (Italy) personifies the idea of artistic gymnastics.  It was most evident in her floor exercise were her grace and movement really had a chance to shine.  As I now look at this painting, I should have added some shadows on the mat just to help you see where she is in space.  I imagine that is a problem for many of these athletes as they flip themselves high above the gym floor.  She had that horrible fate of just missing the podium and doing so by a mere 0.132 points.  Still, it was a brilliant performance worthy of both art and our praise.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Artistic Gymnastics PO24-50" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Just Four Inches

Many things amaze me about women's gymnastics, many, but the balance beam just boggles my mind.  Just four inches wide and just over three feet in the air, it seems a strange place to do such feats of aerobatics.  And then here is Simone Biles (USA) spinning around three times on one foot atop this narrow expanse.  Her routine enabled her to take the lead in this rotation, a lead she never gave back up!  She has again won the Gold Medal as the world's best female gymnast!  She truly is the G.O.A.T.  It was fun to notice that she was wearing a silver goat as a necklace in her post event interview.  Perhaps someone will get her a new gold one.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.  

"Just Four Inches PO24-49" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Needed Perfection

Due to a disastrous start of his bid for Gold Zhang Boheng (China) needed a near perfect score on his final apparatus, the High Bar. He started on the Floor Exercise where he so badly missed a tumbling pass that he ended up with his head and hands on the mat, basically making a tripod with his body.  He has spent the rest of the night trying to claw back from a deep scoring deficit to get to this point.  He knew he was going to take an almost perfect score but fell short.  Fortunately, he did literally fall short.  Despite his best efforts, he just couldn't overtake Oka for the Gold, and like China in the team competition, he must resolve himself to be the Silver Medalist of these Games.  Still China leads the Gold Medal count with nine, but is quite a bit further down the tally in the total medals count.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Needed Perfection PO24-45" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Not the Man They Were Expecting

When the defending Olympic Gold Medalist faltered it was his teammate Shinnosuke Oka (Japan) who rose to the occasion.  He had been posting excellent scores and was benefiting from others earlier misfortunes as well.  As he finished his final rotation on the Parallel Bars, he knew he had a medal.  Now he just has to wait for Zhang Boheng (China) to finish his High Bar routine to discover what color it would be.  I'll jump ahead to let you know that Zhang's score was not enough to overtake Oka, so it is Gold for Japan.  He is now a team gold medalist and an individual gold medalist in the men's gymnastics all around.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Not the Man They Were Expecting PO24-44" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Individual All Around: Extreme Effort

There are many stories at the Olympics of athletes going through all sorts of struggles to get to the Olympics.  One that speaks to me is what those from the Ukraine have had to endure just to be able to be present let alone competitive.  But that is exactly Oleg Verniaiev (Ukraine).  He has returned from war in his country, a ban from competitive sports, and is now in his third Olympics having missed the Tokyo Games because of the suspension.  But here he is leading after each rotation and finishing eighth on the day.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra. 

"Extreme Effort PO24-43" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Individual All Around: With Precision

The American Paul Juda (USA) has built his gymnastics career on his precise movements over the high difficulty.  It is a strategy that has served him well and made him a joy to watch.  His problem is that others can be almost as flawless as he, but they are doing far more difficult routines.  He did well and finished fourteenth, just once spot ahead of his countryman Frederick Richards, who started rough but came back good towards the end of the night.  Regardless, both have already won a Bronze Medal in these games, and they still have the individual apparatus competitions to come.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"With Precision PO24-42" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Redeemed!

It was such a moment of joy when Simone Biles (USA) finished her final routine in the team's final rotation on the Floor Exercise.  After hugging, high-fiving, and jumping in each other's arms, the team climbed up on the stage to chants of "USA! USA! USA!"  They unfolded the American flag and held it aloft prior to the classic pose for the cameras.  I caught this image as Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and Hezly Rivera looked up at the flag of the country they represent having just won the Gold Medal in the Team Finals.  The title refers back to their defining this year as their 'Redemption Tour.'  Clearly winning the team title by over five points counts as redemption, not that they needed it.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Redeemed! PO24-36" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Stick in Like Butter

I owe this title to Jordan Chiles' (USA) father Timothy.  As she finished her uneven bars routine he could be heard just before she ended her routine telling her to "stick it like butter!"  I'm sure it wasn't the first time he had said it, but it was the first time I had ever heard it.  The announcer and I both enjoyed it.  I also love that as she sticks the final landing of her Floor Exercise routine, her head coach Cecile Caquete-Landi and the rest of her team celebrate her performance.  As she finished, it was clear to them all that the team had won the Gold Medal.  In their minds that had finished the goal of the "Redemption Tour" coming back from their disappointment of taking silver rather than gold in Tokyo.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Stick It Like Butter PO24-35" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All Around: Balance

The Italian Team was in the same rotation as the Americans and were being very supportive of their main rivals for an Olympic Medal. They would hug and congratulate each other as the other left the stage after their competition. Alice D'Amato (Italy) was on great form as she helped carrier her team to a Silver Medal in the Women's Gymnastics Team All Around competition on the Balance Beam. They just edged out Brazil for the honor, with the latter coming home with the Bronze.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Balance PO24-34" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Angelic

I stand in awe of most Olympic athletes and most particularly gymnasts.  But Suni Lee's (USA) back story of a rare kidney disease just a year or so ago is amazing.  My wife suffers with PKD and has had a kidney transplant.  I know what kind of suffering it can bring!  She is doing well now, but nothing like being able to qualify for an Olympic team.  For Lee to be able to come back from that and be here in Paris is nothing short of amazing.  Then to nail her Uneven Bars routine so flawlessly, wow!  Just in case you weren't impressed enough, she had to step in and do the Floor Exercise tonight for a sick teammate.  After this routine, Team USA knew that they were almost guaranteed a gold medal in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Angelic PO24-32" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Women's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Precisely

The American women's gymnastic team came to Paris with more than a goal to win Gold, they came to redeem themselves for Tokyo.  I don't quite understand why they feel they need redemption for winning a Silver Medal, but whatever motivates them.  Like the American men last night, they came out firing on all cylinders!  They stomped the Vault, and  Jordan Chiles (USA) opened up their rotation on the Uneven Parallel Bars with precision.  

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Precisely PO24-31" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Doing One Thing Very Well

The final apparatus for Team USA in the team competition was the Pommel Horse.  It was the only event that Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) was competing in for the team.  Not only had he waited throughout the entire event, but he was the last to go in USA's rotation.  He seemed to be keeping himself calm and very relaxed all evening.  He was very cool as he tweaked the set-up of the horse to his exact specifications.  Then he jumped up and started his near flawless routine.  I can't believe that he was able to do two single arm spins in his 45 second appearance on the Olympic stage.  As he came off the floor, the team knew that they had (and he) had done enough to win a Bronze Medal for Team USA.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Doing One Thing Very Well PO24-26" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around

Brody Malone (USA) picked a great time to come right in his High Bar routine.  During qualifying he fell off twice fortunately the team was still able to qualify for the team all-around despite his uncharacteristically bad routine.  So tonight, he was spot on!  At this point he is flying through the air towards a perfect landing.  He personified the gymnastic adage, 'fly high, stick the landing.'  Like his teammates before him he did his part to make sure the USA medals in team gymnastics in Paris.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Airbourne PO24-25" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Paris Olympics 2024, Men's Gymnastics Team All-Around: Eyes on the Men

The title comes from a mission of Frederick Richard (USA).  It is his goal to get more people into men's gymnastics, particularly to get people of color into and in the sport that means so much to him.  He was one of five American men vying to win a medal in the team gymnastics all-around event.  It has been several summer Olympics since Team USA has won any medal in this event.  All of the team posted excellent numbers and stuck their landings to keep the team in the medal hunt.  Richard certainly did his part for the team in the Parallel Bars.

This is a small 4x6 inch original watercolor painting that is available through my website at greigleach.com or you can simply follow the direct link at the end of the post to purchase the painting above. Since it is an original work of art, it is a first come first served reality. The work sells for $95 USD including shipping, but, yes, international shipping is both available and extra.

"Eyes on the Men PO24-24" (Original art by Greig Leach)

Rio Olympics: Leaping for Art

I look back at this painting that I did rather late last night and I can tell that I was running out of steam.  I have now created 89 watercolors of the 2016 Rio Olympic Games and I am beginning to tire just a bit.  Apparently I didn't have enough left in the tank to cover the right side of the page.  That being said, it is still a wonderful composition of a wonderful moment in the Women's Gymnastics All Around.  Aly Raisman (USA) who had lost out on a medal in London to Aliva Mustafina (Russia) due to a tie breaker rule, made sure their would be not repeat of that heart break.  Her floor exercise was flawless after her equally brilliant balance beam.  She couldn't quite catch her teammate Simone Biles for the Gold, but she scored a very convincing Silver Medal, solidly distancing Mustafina, who took home another Bronze.  As soon as she had finished her routine, Raisman broke into tears of relief and joy at her medal worthy performance.

To be fair, I did take a post midnight drive out to the country to watch the meteor showers.  That to was a beautiful show.

This is a small watercolors and ink painting measuring just 4"x6" and was created using Yarka St. Petersburg watercolors and Steve Quiller brushes from www.richesonart.com.  This painting and all of my Olympics artwork will be available through my artist website at www.greigleach.com.  To purchase this particular painting just follow the direct link at the end of this post.

http://www.greigleach.com/large-multi-view/Summer%20Olympics/2836500-89-226051/PaintingLeaping%20for%20Art%20Rio89-Greig-Leach.html#.V64AnZgrLIU