by site editor Rick McCharles
The Nastia Liukin story is one of the greatest in our sport’s history.
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She became Olympic Champion due to persistence and dedication, her and her father coach both.
I’m a huge fan of both Nastia and Valeri. They are role models for us all.
If she had retired after Beijing, and was doing everything she’s doing now … no problem. The Nastia Liukin brand is strong.
But we Nastia fans, increasingly, have questions. If Nastia plans a comeback, as she continues to claim, how can she keep up her frantic schedule of media appearances and sponsorship endorsements?
Valeri understands this better than anyone.
No doubt Nastia has mixed feelings about a comeback. It’s difficult to concede “retirement”.
No doubt her agent councils that she should not retire. Her “value” as a brand would be diminished.
But I honestly feel she will not be returning to international competition representing the U.S.A.
I hope I’m wrong. Nastia would be an ideal leader of a young team. She could specialize in Bars and Beam.
Note: The original content of this post, now outdated, I archived in a comment.
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