TOKYO, JAPAN - OCTOBER 08: Oksana Chusovitina of Germany competes on the Beam aparatus in the Women's qualification during day two of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships Tokyo 2011 at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium on October 8, 2011 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Getty Images)
Oksana Chusovitina, a Uzbekistani gymnast, completed competing in her eighth Olympic Games in Tokyo, a world record.
Chusovitina first competed in the Olympics in 1992, when the games were held in Barcelona. At that time Chusovitina could not compete for an official country, as the Soviet Union had been recently dissolved.
Chusovitina has represented both Uzbekistan and Germany at the Olympics. She became a German citizen in 2006, winning a silver medal for Germany in 2008.
She then transitioned to competing for Uzbekistan again in 2013. She won a silver medal at the Asian Games in 2018, setting a record as the oldest gymnast to claim a medal at the event.
Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter!
A week of sports news in your in-box.
We find the sports news you need to know, so you don't have to.
Chusovitina has clearly stated that Tokyo was her final Olympic competition. “I cried tears of happiness because so many people have supported me for a long time,” she said. “I didn’t look at the results, but I feel very proud and happy. I’m saying goodbye to sports.”
The Uzbekistani gymnast received praise from a host of other Olympians. Aly Raisman of Team USA Gymnastics and others shared their appreciation for what Chusovitinia has meant to the sport.
“I don’t regret it for a single minute,” Chusovitinia said of the sacrifices she made for her incredible career.
On February 16, 2011, future MLB Hall of Famer Miguel Cabrera was arrested and charged…
Seattle Seahawks' coach Mike Macdonald has criticized the NFL's suspension of outside linebacker Derick Hall.…
The Kansas City Chiefs’ quarterback situation went from bad to worse on Sunday, Dec. 21,…
A blowout win over Orlando came with a loud side story Monday night: Golden State…
Jake Paul’s leap into heavyweight boxing ended in a painful reality check Friday night, as…
On December 31, 2008, former NBA star Charles Barkley was arrested on suspicion of driving…