Photo: LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images
Oksana Chusovitinawas filled with emotions after her record-extending eighth Olympics.
The 46-year-old gymnast’s time in Tokyo came to an end afterSunday’s qualifying roundand afterwards she was met with overwhelming support from gymnasts around the world.
Chusovitina, a gymnast from Uzbekistan, performed two vaults in hopes of making the top eight and qualifying for the event final. However, her average score of 14.166 wasn’t high enough to advance, ending her Olympic run.
“It was really nice,” she told reporters afterwards. “I cried tears of happiness because so many people have supported me for a long time.”
LOIC VENANCE/AFP via Getty Images
Throughout her career, Chusovitina has won 11 world medals and has five eponymous skills, leading her to being inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2017. Exceeding expectations in a sport known for its youth and typical teenage athletes, Chusovitina now plans to step away from competition.
“I feel very good to be here. But this will for sure be my last Olympics,” she told reporters. “I’m 46 years old. Nothing is going to change it.”
“I’m alive, I’m happy, I’m here without any injuries, and I can stand on my own,” she added with a laugh.
“When I started gymnastics, I never thought about the Olympics. I just started with the sport and loved to do gymnastics,” she told reporters on Sunday. “I’m very proud of what I have achieved, to be in the sport, and want to thank everyone involved in it.”
AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
On Friday, members of the Team USA women’s gymnastics squad —Simone Biles,Sunisa Lee,Jordan Chiles,Grace McCallum,MyKayla Skinner, andJade Carey—posed in a photowith Chusovitina while training before qualifiers, praising the gymnast on her lengthy and inspiring career.
USA Gymnastics Instagram
Throughout the competition, gymnasts from several countries alsotook photos with the icon, but Chusovitina has said that she actually never thinks about whether or not she inspires other gymnasts to continue with the sport.
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“But if someone sees it as a motivation to prolong their career, that means a lot,” she said.
To learn more about Team USA, visitTeamUSA.org. Watch the Tokyo Olympics now on NBC.
source: people.com
