Nadia Comaneci. Mary Lou Retton. They are the household names of gymnasts associated with scoring a “perfect 10” in an Olympic Games. While those names may stick with us forever, the goal of earning a “perfect 10” has been eliminated.

In its place is a method that is a bit more complicated than deducting from the starting value of 10 and has been given mixed reviews from athletes and coaches.

“It was a little depressing when they came out with it,” said Tom Forster, owner of Aerials’ Gymnastics in Colorado Springs. “I understand the point of it, but it’s hard because there is no model of perfection anymore.”

This type of scoring was implemented in 2006 by the International Gymnastics Federation. Beijing will mark the first Olympiad in which men’s and women’s gymnastics will be judged this way. U.S. trials start today in Philadelphia. Fans who take in the sport every four years may be in for a surprise when they see scores in the 14.0 to the 17.0 range.

“It will be a little strange for the fans, because going for the 10 was one of the most recognizable things about the sport,” said David Durante, who trains at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs.

Gymnasts are given one score on each event combined by a level of difficulty and execution value, but the level of difficulty is not included within the starting 10 points.

U.S. men’s gymnastics team coordinator and former coach Ron Brandt said that it may be hard to follow at first, but gives some simple guidelines to the untrained eye.

“The execution value starts at a 10 and deductions are made on form and whether or not they stick the landing,” he said. “The level of difficulty ranges from a 5 to a 7.3 in some cases and the total of those two values make up the score.”

The level of difficulty is determined by an A Panel. Each element is tagged with a numeric value based on the difficulty and credit is given upon completion of that element.

The B Panel takes a look at execution value, which is based on the execution, artistry, composition and technique. The starting value is 10 and deductions are made based on errors.

Four to six judges are responsible for the individual execution score with the highest and lowest scores dropped. The average of the remaining two judges is then added to the level of difficulty for the total score.

“It’s like the NBA moving back the 3-point line and asking the players to make more shots,” said Olympic hopeful Yewki Tomita.Tomita, who trains in Colorado Springs, said his routines are kept simple to minimize deductions.

“It was meant to fix the judging after some controversy in 2004, but I’m not sure it was needed,” Brandt said of the rules change.

In 2004, U.S. gymnast Paul Hamm won the gold medal in Athens despite a fall on vault. He beat South Korean gymnast Kim Dae Eun by 0.012 of a point, the closest finish ever.

Now, judges have to make deductions by strict guidelines.

“The judges may be the ones who have it the hardest,” said Tomita. “It’s almost asking too much for them to watch all the elements in a routine and come up with an accurate score.”

Things are being done to educate the public, Brandt said. At competitions, former Olympic gymnasts Shannon Miller and John Roethlisberger conduct broadcasts over headsets that can be purchased for $5 so spectators can follow along.

There are a few differences between men’s and women’s scoring, but like any new system, it is a work in progress.

“Logistically it makes sense,” Forster said. “I’m really proud of the way girls have been throwing these harder skills and doing them extremely well.”

Gymnasts like Tomita and Durante are just ready and anxious for the Games to begin no matter the scoring method.

“I’m tired of practicing in the gym every day,” Durante said. “I just want to go out there and compete.”

-Contact the writer: 636-0250 or sports@gazettedev.gazette.com

Lones Wigger Jr. took gold at the 1964 Summer Games. Photo by PHOTO COURTESY USA SHOOTING