More exciting news following last week’s launch of Nastia Liukin Cup. Universal Sports has announced that they will televise the competition! Nastia said that she was honoured that USA Gymnastics’ official cable and digital media partner would broadcast the competition which is scheduled for 5 March 2010 hoping that “millions of gymnastics fans can watch some of the country’s top rising gymnasts as they develop into Olympic contenders and maybe champions.” As announced last week the Nastia Liukin Cup will be held on the eve of the 2010 Tyson American Cup and will provide the nations best Level 10 athletes the experience of competing on a podium. Athletes will qualify to the meet in early 2010 at a number of invitationals that comprise the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup will go into the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation. In the first year, net revenues from the Nastia Liukin Cup will be utilized as scholarships for young gymnasts who show ability and have a financial hardship through the Nastia Liukin Fund.
Nastia celebrated the one year anniversary of her Beijing triumph by taking another step in her return to competition, a performance on balance beam in front of a home town crowd in Dallas at the VISA Championships. Having originally planned to compete two events at the Championships Nastia decided during podium training before the event that she was still a little underprepared to perform on the uneven bars saying, “I didn’t feel confident enough to just chuck a routine. I’m just not that kind of person. I’m doing my full routine, except for the dismount separate. But I feel like it’s my event and I don’t want to go out there and perform it if I don’t feel confident and ready. It just isn’t worth it. Don’t get me wrong, Nationals are very important, but there are more important things that lie ahead this year, like Worlds. I’m on the right track, I just have to keep pushing this way. I have a few more months.” While she is also not yet competing full difficulty on beam she did debut a new skill (aerial cartwheel), an upgraded dismount from her recent Covergirl Classic performance and proved that even Olympic Champions get nervous … especially when competing in front of a hometown crowd telling Inside Gymnastics after prelims, “When they announced my name and hearing the crowd—knowing it’s a home crowd too—everything kind of boils up and comes together.” Nastia scored 14.450 in the prelims and a 14.700 in finals to earn 4th place on the event saying of her performance, “There’s nothing to hide. I’m not in shape yet. I’m not ashamed of that. I’m proud of my accomplishments and everything I’ve done. Do I wish I was more in shape? Of course. What athlete wants to go out there and perform not at their best? But given the circumstances and all the obligations that I’ve had, this is where I have to be right now.” Her performance was enough to secure a place on the 2009/10 National Team and an invitation to the world team selection camp later in the year where the next chapter of her comeback will unfold. During the course of the Championships Nastia, her father Valeri and WOGA were all honoured by USA Gymnastics. On the first night of women’s competition, USA Gymnastics honoured the Olympic accomplishments of WOGA. WOGA gymnasts have earned an impressive 21 world and Olympic medals, including Carly Patterson’s two world and four Olympic medals and Nastia’s nine world and five Olympic medals. “Nastia and Carly’s back-to-back accomplishment is virtually unprecedented,” said USA Gymnastics President Steve Penny. “It is one thing for athletes to come from the same country, but another for them to come from the same country, city and club. It is important to bring special attention to this unique achievement.” Nastia then joined all of the 2008 Olympians on the final night of competition in a celebration of their achievements last summer. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, the US team amassed its greatest medal haul since the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The 10 medal tally – two gold, six silver and two bronze – is the most earned by the USA in gymnastics in a non-boycotted Olympic Games. As is tradition USA Gymnastics announced its annual awards at the conclusion of the Championships. Nastia was presented with two awards; USAG Athlete of the Year and USAG Sportswoman of the Year (as voted by her peers) while Valeri was named as USAG Coach of the Year.
Nastia and USA Gymnastics have joined forces to provide a competitive opportunity for the country’s top Junior Olympic gymnasts, the Nastia Liukin Cup. The inaugural Nastia Liukin Cup is scheduled for March 5, 2010, at the DCU Center in Worcester, Mass and will be held the evening prior to the prestigious Tyson American Cup using the event’s podium. Gymnasts will be chosen to participate in the Cup from a series of invitationals known as the Nastia Liukin Cup Series. The Series will be promoted throughout the competitive season with individual meets each selecting a minimum of two athletes to compete in the Cup from their respective fields. The events already committed to participate in the NLCS are listed below. •CGA Parents Club Coaches Spectacular, Covington, Ky., Jan. 15-17
•Cereal City Classic, Kalamazoo, Mich., Jan. 22-24
•Parkettes Invitational, Allentown, Pa., Jan. 29-31
•The Fiesta Bowl Classic, Chandler, Ariz., Feb. 5-7
•WOGA Classic, Plano, Feb. 13-14
•Buckeye Classic, Columbus, Ohio, Feb. 19-21
•Circle of Stars, Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 19-21
•Excalibur Cup, Virginia Beach, Va., Feb. 19-21
•IGI Chicago Style Meet, Chicago, Ill., Feb. 12-14
•Pikes Peak Cup, Colorado Springs, Colo., Feb. 19-21
•Presidential Classic, Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Feb 19-21
•The Long Beach Open, Long Beach, Calif., Feb. 26-28. Gymnasts who qualify for the Nastia Liukin Cup will receive a Nastia Liukin-designed leotard and a warm-up from GK Elite; two tickets to the Tyson American Cup and recognition during the event; and the opportunity to meet Nastia Liukin and participate in a team photo. “I love gymnastics, and it has given me the opportunity to achieve my dreams and goals … and now I want to give back to the community that has supported me for my entire career. I am excited about the development of the Cup, which will give athletes an elite competitive opportunity, and the creation of the Nastia Liukin Fund that will enable me to help others through scholarships or charitable support.” Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Cup will go into the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation. In the first year, net revenues from the Nastia Liukin Cup will be utilized as scholarships for young gymnasts who show ability and have a financial hardship through the Nastia Liukin Fund. At today’s press conference Nastia reflected on her excitement at the prospect of providing this opportunity to young gymnasts in the US. “I couldn’t be more excited to have this announcement of the Nastia Liukin Cup. When we thought of this idea it was kind of like a dream. I never would have thought I would have a competition in honor of me, and what I’ve accomplished. Just to see the logo and the pink little me next to it, was just so amazing.” “I wanted to make sure it wasn’t for the Elite athletes,” Nastia added of her original wishes for the competition that bears her name. “The Level 10 girls might not ever get the experience to compete on the podium, or may later in their career, so it’s so cool that they’re going to be able to start that early on. From the 12 competitions they’re going to be choosen, the Nastia Liukin Cup is the grand finale, and I’m just so excited to be partnered up with USA Gymnastics. I couldn’t thank them enough for always being behind me.” USA Gymnastics president Steve Penny said that the organisation “is honored to partner with Nastia in creating this unique opportunity for young gymnasts. Nastia’s gymnastics accomplishments are incredible. She is known and respected for her integrity, sportsmanship and sense of fair play. Her interest in helping others and dedication to gymnastics led to the creation of the Nastia Liukin Cup and Nastia Liukin Fund.”
The latest episode of AT&T’s Behind the Team series has debuted. The first episode “A Chance to Reflect” features interviews with Nastia and many of her Olympic teammates and also takes a look at what lies ahead for USA Gymnastics in the next quad! Be sure to visit “AT&T Fanzone and view the episode! Look out for three more episodes in 2009!
Nastia is providing personal insights from this week’s USA Championships for Inside Gymnastics. Be sure to visit Inside Gymnastics to follow her blog “Nastia’s Notes” and also her photo scrapbook for an inside look at the National Championships!
08.08.08….. Wow. As I sit here writing this blog I have chills, goose bumps & tears in my eyes. I can’t even think where to start. One thing I know is I will forever hold this moment in my heart. For the rest of my life.
I was contemplating writing this on August 15, the day I won the All-Around title, but then I thought to myself…. Yes, that day changed my life for FOREVER, but it was August 8, 2008 that defined my career. I had never been more proud to be part of Team USA and to be able to share these moment with 5 other AMAZING, talented, sweet, caring girls…. I could go on and on about them (but I’ll save that for another time!) We created such a special bond together that will last a lifetime.
Next I owe EVERYTHING to my parents, coaches, friends, and the other special people in my life
I can’t even express how much these people mean to me and what they have done for me. My parents, well not much explanation needed for that one! They have guided me and showed me the path to not only success, but happiness, which in my opinion is the most important part of life. I have always had a pure love and passion for the sport of gymnastics and that’s the only way it’s possible to achieve your dreams. They have been there through the thick and thin…. The struggles and the triumphs…. The tears of sadness and the tears of joy. I would not be the person I am today without them. Thank you mom & dad.
Natalya, Evgeny, Sergei, Laurie, Natasha, Laurent and Cecile…. and all the other coaches and staff at WOGA. They have been there right behind me through my Olympic Journey…. Pushed me through the struggles and hugged me when I needed a hug! Thank you so much!
Evan, my agent who has made me believe that absolutely anything in this world is possible!!!!!!! From gymnastics, to modeling, to becoming a “business woman”, and to living a somewhat “normal” teenage life…. If I put my mind to it, impossible is NOTHING!
Our wonderful national team coordianter, Martha Karolyi. I don’t have enough words to thank her for leading our best team ever to Beijing. She always had faith in me, trusted me and pushed me when I needed to be pushed. I can’t imagine how much pressure, stress and emotions it takes to lead a team at the Olympic Games. She will will ALWAYS have a special place in my heart. As I continue my career in the sport, she has been there every step of the way, and I am so honored to have her by my side.
Onto my best friends, Carly and Nina….. It was so amazing being able to watch Carly train and go on to win the All-Around Gold in Athens 5 years ago!!! It truly made me believe that I CAN do it too. My dreams all of sudden seemed SO realistic. Carly has supported me along the whole journey, been there for me when I was lost in the world of ,all the sudden being “well known”. We continue to be the best of friends and I know we forever will!!!!! No too many people have accomplished the same thing we did, back-to-back!!!!
My other best friend, Nina…. Don’t even know where to start! She traveled with me to Beijing, was there every single step of the way. I don’t have enough words, or actions to thank her or repay her enough for how she has changed me life. Not only being there when I was getting my gold medal, or on the set of The Today Show, Access Hollywood, TRL, and all the other fun shows I did…. But also sitting through my 10 hour photo shoots, letting me cry to her over the phone, letting me sleep through the 15 hour flight from Beijing back home (without even trying to wake me up!!!!) She is a definition of a TRUE friend. I will love you forever & always Nin
Last put not least I would like to thank my fans! YOU guys have been awesome!!!!!!!!! Thank you thank you thank you for believing in me & for the continued support as I now proceed to start “Part 2 of my career” I have so many cool things in the works, that I know you all will be very excited about!!!! (A special announcement will be made on Tuesday!!!!!!)
I have made new goals & dreams for myself that I hope to achieve in the next three years of my journey to London
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend and spend sometime with the people that make a difference in YOUR life. Thank you again for helping me achieve my dreams…..
Xoxo-Nastia
A new month and a new Nastia’s Choice selection! This month Nastia has chosen to highlight another video by Chris featuring the music Permission To Fly by her good friend and fellow cast member of the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars Jordan Pruitt.
Visit Nastia’s official youtube channel to see the other montages that Nastia has selected. Click here to visit Nastia on myspace or here to follow her on Twitter! The countdown to Dallas is on!! Check out Nastia’s media spot from USAG Gymnastics to promote nationals here. Speaking of promos, a special mention to all of the fans who have put together short promo clips for both the Covergirl Classic and the VISA Championships. We have favorited many on Nastia’s youtube profile. Be sure to send a message if you have edited a promo for either event and it isn’t listed on the profile!
Nastia and 
