At 41, This Successful Gymnast Has Been To Seven Olympics

Gymnastics is one of the most highly anticipated events in the Olympics. Few Olympic events can compare to the excitement of seeing gymnasts perform their routines, and how they combine skill and power with grace. There’s certainly no arguing that the gymnasts are some of the most athletic human beings in the entire world.

This year, more and more people have their eyes on the gymnastic events as the world’s best gymnasts compete for gold once again. And who can blame them? After all, Team USA’s Simone Biles is already being heralded as the greatest gymnast ever, and this is her first trip to the Olympics. Few gymnasts, however, have captivated the imaginations of audiences around the world more than Oksana Chusovitina. Here’s why:

Oksana Chusovitina is 41 years old, and this is her 7th Olympics.

She’s announced her retirement twice now, but instead went on to continue competing after each announcement.

She’s won multiple Olympic medals and with 9 world championship medals on the vault, she holds the record for most individual world championship medals.

Oksana has also represented multiple countries in the Olympics.

This year, she’s representing Uzbekistan.

Aside from being a gymnast, she’s also a mother to a 17 year old boy.

That means her son is older than many of her competitors!

Her son, Alisher, had leukemia when he was only 3 years old but eventually beat it.

Many gymnasts retire by the time they reach their twenties.

According to her, she’ll be remembered for her longevity. It’d be hard to argue with that.

(via Buzzfeed)

Who says you need to be young to compete in gymnastics or in the Olympics for that matter? Oksana proves that age doesn’t matter if you have the athletic ability and determination and are able to stay healthy. Don’t be surprised if you see her again in her 8th Olympics.