Gymnastics reaches out to new horizons

The men's gymnastics competition at the Rio Olympics in 2016 threatens to be one of the most democratic in the sport's history, after a flush of unprecedented medal-winners at the London Games.

Brazil and South Korea both claimed their first ever Olympic gymnastics gold medals, while the Netherlands ended an 84-year wait for gold in the gymnasium and Great Britain enjoyed their most successful Games ever.

Arthur Zanetti of Brazil could be poised to become a star on home turf in Rio, where he will attempt to defend the title he snatched from Chinese defending champion Chen Yibing in the men's ring final.

"I hope this medal will open lots of doors for all the gymnasts in Brazil," he said. "I hope that in Rio we'll be able to have a full team, in order to defend this title and fight for others on home soil."

Zanetti, 22, is Brazil's first ever Olympic gymnastics medallist, and he was one of a number of pioneers in the men's event.

Yang Hak-Seon ended South Korea's long wait for a first Olympic gymnastics champion with gold in the vault, while high bar crowd-pleaser Epke Zonderland became the first Dutch person to win a gymnastics event since 1928.

Hosts Britain provided the crowd at the North Greenwich Arena with several unforgettable moments and finished with four medals -- more than any other nation except for traditional powerhouses Russia, China and the United States.