In 2008, Nastia Liukin brought home five Olympic medals from Beijing. Four years later, the 22-year-old gymnast is working hard with the hopes of earning another shot to represent the United States on the world stage.
Liukin hasn’t done much competing since the Beijing games and now she’s a little behind the curve. But the former athletic athlete is relishing in her daily workouts and feels like she is getting closer to earning a spot in London.
Liukin said:
“I’m trying not to have too many expectations because it has been quite a few years since I’ve competed, but my excitement is building… Walking home and walking up my stairs and being so exhausted you can hardly walk, that’s the best feeling now. It’s a sense of accomplishment of the day.”
Reuters reports that Liukin will compete for the first time in three years in a couple week at the U.S. Classic in Chicago. After the Classic, she’ll head to the national championship with the hopes of qualifying for the Olympic trials.
The gymnastic team at the 2012 games will be comprised of five individuals. The team selectors will choose the five women that give them the best overall chance at the Olympic games. Nastia Liukin is hoping to impress the selectors with the uneven bars and the balance beam.
Eurosport reports that Liukin’s last competition was the 2009 Nationals. Since then she’s served as the the athlete representative for U.S. gymnastics and has started her own fashion line. Liukin’s life hasn’t centered around gymnastics for the last few years but the 22-year-old athlete has kept training at her home gym.
Liukin said:
“Gymnastics, especially in my family, is more than a sport. It’s our life, it’s our careers, it’s our family business… It’s been a very hard journey, these last six months and there’s definitely a lot ahead of me in these next few months… I’m excited to be where I’m at, to be able to do gymnastics again. I’ve missed being able to flip in the air, flip on the beam and swing on the bars.”
Do you think Nastia Liukin will make the 2012 Olympic team?