Meet the oldest Olympic gymnast

Periskopi

21 May 2020, 23:55(6 years ago)

Gymnastics is estimated by the most difficult of sports, while the peak is, in most cases, at a very young age. But even gymnastics has exceptions, reports Koha.net. Oksana Chusovina will be 46-year-old when the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo next year. It will become the gymnast [...]

Gymnastics is estimated by the most difficult of sports, while the peak is, in most cases, at a very young age. But even gymnastics has exceptions, reports Koha.net.

Oksana Chusovina will be 46-year-old when the Olympic Games are held in Tokyo next year. It will become the oldest Olympic gymnast, the official page of the International Olympic Committee has announced. Oksana represents Uzbekistan as she competed in Rio 2016 at 41.

But her Olympic story started much earlier. She for the first time in the biggest event has competed in “Barcelona 1992”, where she won the gold medal. Since then, he has been competing in every edition of the Summer Olympics. It continues to compete very high and has eventually qualified for Tokyo 2020. If you race, which is expected, it will be her eighth time at the Olympic Games, which is a record.

“On the podium all are the same, whether you are 40-year-old or 16-year-old”, she says.

Her gymnastics movements are impressive. She has been competing for the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan and Germany during her career. The international level has started racing since 1989, long before its current rivals were born. It is the only gymnast who has competed in seven editions of the Olympic Games and one of two gymnasts who have competed in Olympic Games for three different countries.

It's also from a few gymnasts who's turned into higher-level after becoming a mother. It's a model to follow and inspite for all”, said Peggy Lidick, Australia's coach.

Oksana's list of successes is over. But Oksana Chusovin wants another Olympic medal from Tokyo.

I love gymnastics and I tell myself, why not practice and compete when I can. If I stopped, I'd regret this”, Oksana said. She plans to retire after the Tokyo Games.