INSIDE LOOK: `DIVA' COLLECTS HER GOLD AGAIN KHORKINA 1ST WITH 3 ALL-AROUND TITLES.

Byline: Ramona Shelburne Staff Writer

It was a step Svetlana Khorkina had made many times in the decade she has ruled women's gymnastics, but even she seemingly sensed it could be her last trip to the top of the podium. The emotion was difficult to hide.

Her lips began to quiver before her name was announced and she took a deep breath before ascending to again be crowned the queen of women's gymnastics.

During the Russian national anthem, Khorkina closed her eyes before a tear escaped even though there would be no shame in crying.

``I am so, so sorry but I know I have to finish someday,'' Khorkina, 24, said after becoming the first gymnast to capture three world all-around titles Friday night. ``This world championship is my last and it is very important to me.''

The urgency of her last world championships showed in her performance, which was, as always, dazzling.

At 5-foot-4, Khorkina is nearly a half-foot taller than most of her competitors but she has become a champion by using her long legs to her advantage. She has created skills to show her skills, and there are moves named after her on each apparatus, including two on the uneven bars, an event in which she is a five-time world champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist.

Only when she retires after the 2004 Olympics in Athens will her legacy and her impact on the sport be understood.

But the most succinct description of Khorkina's style might have come from 15-year-old Carly Patterson, who sat next to Khorkina at a news conference after the meet.

``She's like an actress,'' Patterson said. And the type of presentation an actress would make was what helped Khorkina score a 9.675 in the floor exercise - the highest of the night in that event.

Though Khorkina seemed more interested in an article about her from the French magazine L'Equipe titled ``Diva,'' than in the answers being given by Patterson or bronze medalist Zhang Nan of China, she seemed to enjoy the description when asked about it later.

``It's my job,'' she said in English, though her other answers were through an interpreter.

Khorkina flashed her distinctive grace at the end of her floor exercise. Lying on her side with her legs seductively crossed, Khorkina threw back her head and let out a sly smile, signaling her satisfaction.

The queen was pleased.

Patterson still was mathematically alive for the gold if she could stick her vault, and the American crowd got behind her even though Khorkina had already captured their hearts.

``When I'm competing I try to express myself from my heart,'' Khorkina said. ``I feel so empty (because I gave) all my heart to the crowd.''

Fittingly, Khorkina was not present to see Patterson take a large step on her landing and lose the gold.

``I was in the ladies' room washing my hands,'' she said. ``When I came out, my coach told me I had won.''

As if there was any doubt.

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Photo:

Russia's Svetlana Khorkina, shown on the balance beam Friday, scored a 9.675 in the floor exercise, the highest score in the event.

Mark J. Terrill/Associated Press