Nastia Liukin Gold Medal
On August 15, 2008, Nastia Liukin won the Olympic gold medal in the ladies all-around gymnastics competition. Liukin defeated fellow American Shawn Johnson. ESPN writer Alyssa Roenigk felt that the judges preferred the "high start values, beautiful lines and a grace" possessed by Liukin in her routines over "the powerful, less artistic routines of Johnson."1
Fast Facts
- Father Valeri Liukin won two Olympic gold medals, but not the individual all-around at 1988 Olympics1
- Shawn Johnson won silver1
- Margin between Liukin and Johnson was six-tenths of a point
- Yang Yilin of China won bronze1
- Liukin born: October 30, 19892
- Hometown: Parker, Texas3
- Began gymnastics: 19933
- College: Southern Methodist University3
Family Gold
The Olympic gold medal in the all-around competition held special significance for Nastia Liukin. Her father, Valeri Liukin, was unable to win the men's all-around gold at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Valeri won two gold medals at the event, but got the silver in the all-around when he swung his arms during a landing in the high bar competition. Russian Vladimir Artemov took home the gold.1
Liukin's Win, Johnson's Loss
The victory by Liukin was a disappointment for Shawn Johnson, who was favored to win the competition. Former Olympic gymnast Bart Conner summed up the pressures faced by Johnson: "I've said this before, many times. It's really dangerous to be the 'it' girl the year before the Olympics. On the one hand you have the enormous publicity and the endorsement money. The other side of the sword are the expectations and pressure."4
Liukin Gold Medal Reactions
"He was so close to winning that all-around gold medal. I hope I made up for that. I hope he is as proud of this as I am."—Nastia Liukin on her father1
“I knew if I went out there today and hit my routines, I would have a good chance. I just went out there and gave it all I had.”—Nastia Liukin5
"It wasn't easy for Nastia to be second, but I never believed Nastia was No. 2. Some judges maybe like Shawn, but Nastia's level of gymnastics is high. We calculate our course and come to the conclusion she is not second. She just makes mistakes."—Valeri Liukin, father of Nastia Liukin1
"I always said that when people started to lose faith in Nastia, I would tell them her career is not over. She just proved for everybody she is good all-around gymnast. She's totally a role model for upcoming gymnasts because she has stuck it out."—Bela Karolyi, former gymnastics coach4
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