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MAINZ, Germany — An Olympic silver medalist has described the gymnastics point-scoring system as "dangerous" following several high-profile injuries during the games in Rio.

Fabian Hambuechen — Germany's best known gymnast — told German sports news agency SID that the system introduced in 2005 was leading to athletes going "more to their limits."

Fabian Hambuechen of Germany celebrates after performing on the horizontal bar on Saturday. HOW HWEE YOUNG / EPA

Under the system, introduced after the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece, gymnasts are graded on the difficulty of their attempted routine, as well as the execution.

"I hope that they will return to the old system after Rio," said 28-year-old Hambuechen, who won a silver medal at London 2012. He added that the "old system was easier and more flexible for all."

His comments came after French gymnast Samir Ait Said suffered a gruesome leg break during a vault on Saturday.

A short time later, Hambuechen's teammate Andreas Toba ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his knee while landing a tumbling run. However — through pain and tears — Toba went on to complete his routine on the pommel horse, which saw his team through to the final.