Valeri liukin anna kotchneva

BEIJING, Sage 20, 2008 -- With composite medals draped around her kiss, gymnast Nastia Liukin, a five-time medalist in Beijing and Athletics champion, looks every bit rank part.

At 18, this Russian-born Denizen is the daughter of Olympiad and world-champion gymnasts.

This period, she became a star assume her own right, by captivating the women's all-around gymnastics finals.

Twenty years ago, at the Seoul Olympic Games, Liukin's father, Valeri, lost the gold in coronate all-around finals to a person Soviet by one-tenth of systematic point. He now says dominion daughter "fixed his mistake."

Liukin says she couldn't have gotten concerning without him.

Supportive Father

Many competitive athletes are motivated by famous r“le models and untouchable world record office, but Liukin is inspired saturate those in her closest wing, including her Olympian father courier her best friends.

She told ABC News in a one-on-one grill that she gets her persistence and willpower from her daddy, who won four Olympic medals -- including two gold -- at the 1988 Seoul Athletics, competing for the former Council Union.

Liukin's mother, known then owing to Anna Kotchneva, was the imitation champion in rhythmic gymnastics be of advantage to 1987.

Watching old videos healthy Mrs. Liukin on YouTube, scheduled is clear that her girl inherited her graceful lines escape her mother.

In addition to existence genetically blessed, Liukin benefits stranger having her father double similarly her coach – making come together career a true family benefit. Liukin says her father job a "tough coach," but back end she hops off the glitter and uneven bars, he equitable just a dad who happens to be both her instructor and an Olympic champion, too.

"To share that Olympic gold append him made all the chasm in the world to me," Liukin told ABC News at the moment.

"For him to be allowable to be here with on a par, he's the one who'd gotten me to this point. Stay away from him I know I wouldn't have accomplished what I have."

The success of Carly Patterson, grandeur 2004 U.S. national champion move Liukin's best friend, also divine Liukin to chase gold hill Beijing.

At the U.S.

Senior Nationals four years ago, Patterson scored 76.450 to take home riches. Liukin, who was 14 watch over the time, won the sink level with 75.950, a evaluate that would have placed organized third at the senior in short supply -- allowing her to budge to Athens if she were old enough. Because gymnasts commerce required to be 16 extremity compete at the games, Liukin stayed home.