Nastia to say 'thank you' with event at civic center

By Jeff Budlong, Journal staff | Tuesday, October 07, 2008

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RAPID CITY — A little over a month after winning the gold medal in the Olympic gymnastics all-around competition life has turned incredibly busy for Nastia Liukin.

She is currently performing on the 2008 Tour of Gymnastics Superstars and will be coming to Rapid City as part of the Progressive Skating and Gymnastics Spectacular to conclude the Rushmore Civic Center’s new arena’s opening month.

Her busy schedule has kept her primarily on the road since returning to the United States but she wouldn’t have it any other way.

“This is something we have been looking forward to for after the Olympics and it is a lot of fun to do,” said Liukin who will be taking part in the event for the third time. “I have spent a lot of time with the girls and we have become like sisters so it is fun to spend some more time with them. It is a more relaxed environment and not as stressful which makes it more enjoyable.”

Liukin views the event in Rapid City as a way to say thank you to the fans for their support during the Olympics, and it gives young gymnasts a chance to see what is possible through hard work.

Liukin’s hard work paid off with her gold and four other medals.

“It was hard and I had a lot of doubters but I came out and proved that I am an all-round gymnast,” Liukin said of winning gold in Beijing. “Winning the all-around is something you dream about but you are never sure it can happen. You have to believe and I did and it happened.”

Liukin, 19, may have reached her goal in Beijing, but she is determined not to let success change the kind of person she is.

“I still feel like the same Nastia and I hope I still come across as the same person, but knowing a lifelong dream has been accomplished is amazing,” she said.

Liukin’s efforts in Beijing also gave her bragging rights at home over her father who was also an Olympic champion gymnast.

“It was something fun to do and you like to keep the atmosphere fun and liven it up a little bit,” she said of her chase for five medals to better her father's four. “It is just kind of a joke between us. He has two gold and I only have one so that is his comeback.”

While Liukin sees herself connected with the sport that has made her famous for many more years, the Plano, Texas native is branching out and starting a new phase of her life.

She is hoping to begin college in January at Southern Methodist University where she will major in international business, and she is even delving into the world of acting as she is preparing to film an episode of “Gossip Girl” on Oct. 20.

“I am excited to get back in school because I haven’t been in school for almost a year and a half,” Liukin said. “It will be a new experience, meet new friends and I have gone to a private school since fifth grade so I am excited to get back out there and do the normal thing.”

Liukin said part of the reason she chose SMU is because it is close to home which would allow her to continue to train. She has not ruled out competing in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

"Gymnastics is one of those sports where it is a very hard physical and mental sport," she said. "There is still more I can accomplish and that is what I have in my head."