16. Oktober 2008  
New York, USA  
Artistic Gymnastics

Nastia Liukin: Sportswoman of the Year !

Olympic all-round gymnastics champion Nastia Liukin (USA) was named "Sportswoman of the Year" by the Women's Sports Foundation this week.
Liukin, who won five Olympic medals in Beijing 2008 with her elegant routines, joined a list of former winners including golfer Annika Sorenstam, figure skater Michelle Kwan, track athlete Gail Devers and speed skater Bonnie Blair.
After Mary Lou Retton (USA) in 1984, Liukin is the second gymnast to win this award.

Father Valeri, daughter Nastia

"Honestly, I can't believe I'm one of those on that list," the American gymnast told reporters.
Liukin said she has been on a whirlwind schedule since Beijing, performing in a US gymnastics tour, designing a fashion line and getting ready to act in an episode of the hit US television show, "Gossip Girl."

Liukin, who turns 19 this month, will resume training in January with a view towards competing in front of her home fans in Dallas in August and at the world championships in London in October 2009.
" ...that's what my next big goal is," said Liukin. "2012 is four years away, so it's hard to say as far as what I'm doing," she said about the possibility of defending her Olympic title in London.