Nastia LiukinBy Megan Jones

Nastia Liukin Would you train your

whole life just to have a very slim chance of standing on the first place podium for just one minute? Nastia Liukin took that chance and stood on that first place podium in 2008.

Early Life Born on October 30th 1989 Born in Moscow Soviet Union She began competing at age 6 Attended southern Methodist University in Dallas Texas Her full name is Anastia Valeryevna Liukin She became a member of the junior national team at age 12

2008 Olympics Competed in 2008 Olympics Held in Bejing Nastia Liukin won all around in 2008 Olympics Shawn Johnson (one of her best friends and the one on

the left) won 2nd in 2008 Olympics The U.S.A. team won the silver, behind the Chinese team

Family Nastia Liukin came from a family of gymnasts Her dad medaled 4 times (2 of which were gold) in

the 1988 Olympics Her mom was a rhythmic gymnast Her parents didn’t want her to do gymnastic but

she loved gymnastics and got to be in a gym a lot because her parents coached

Accomplishments Won the 2008 Olympics Nastia was on the tour of gymnastics super stars Shares the record with Shannon Miller for most

world champion medals (nine) Won worlds both times she competed in them She has a gymnastics meet named after her,

The meet is named the Nastia Cup

2012 Olympics She plans on making a come back and competing in the 2012 Olympics

She is on the national team right now and on her was to the Olympics for the second time

What Nastia did as a Leader She hasn’t given up

on gymnastics Inspires others to

keep trying hard to get what they want

She reminds people that if you work hard you can accomplish a lot

Resources Wikepedia About.com Nastia Liukin Biography My Brain