Olympic Vaulting has also progressed a wee bit over the years

Sandra Izbasa won gold in 2012, though.

I remember reading something about the old springs and pads being too stiff for "modern" maneuvers.

I think all sports have gone up from where they used to be. People get into them from an early age and perfect them whereas people who just had it as a hobby could compete cannot compete anymore with people who do it for a living.

Little do they know, the original Olympic games ideal was a healthy person with an educated mind. The athletes had to for example recite poetry at the games. Seeing what the athletes can do when they're focused on it, I wouldn't say I want the Olympic games returned to that standard, but maybe make a similar competiton where being good at everything is the standard, not training your body to be perfect for only one thing.