Nastia Liukin To Compete Again In Her Hometown
North Texans will get to see world-class gymnastics in their own backyard
By SUSY SOLIS
Updated 7:03 AM CST, Wed, Jun 24, 2009
USA Gymnastics announced Tuesday that Dallas will host their most prestigious event, the Visa Championships.
The national meet decides which gymnasts will compete on the U.S. National Team and is considered a stepping-stone to the world platform of gymnastics.
"It's a matter of pride and if you're the champion, you know good things are coming your way," said 1996 Olympic Champion, Kerri Strug.
The announcement was made at WOGA gym, home of back-to-back Olympic gold medalists, Carly Patterson and Nastia Liukin. USA Gymnastics said North Texas would be the perfect host and said it's their way of thanking Dallas and WOGA gym for creating world-class gymnasts.
The Visa Championships will be held at the American Airlines Center August 12-15. It'll be the first time Liukin will compete since the Olympics in Beijing and she is already feeling the pressure.
"I know I'm going to be nervous because I know there are expectations I have to live up to because the last time I competed I was in top shape and my best form," she said. "So obviously I'm not quite there right now. Because I have taken so much time off because of appearances and opportunities that I've had since the Olympics."
Nonetheless, she says she is very excited to be able to compete in front of a hometown crowd. At the press conference Liukin was also presented with a Athlete of the Year award by the U.S. Olympic Committee. It's a very prestigious award that she shares with swimmer, Natalie Coughlin.
Liukin says she has also been to Chicago several times in hopes of helping to bring the Olympics back to the states in 2016.
First Published: Jun 23, 2009 6:43 PM CST
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