LONDON, Great Britain, October 11, 2009 – 2008 Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin of Parker, Texas, was elected as a member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s Athletes’ Commission. She was elected by the members of the women’s artistic gymnastics community at a meeting held in London’s O2 Arena in conjunction with the 2009 World Gymnastics Championships.

“It is an honor to be on the FIG Athletes’ Commission and represent the athlete voice, said Liukin, who has five Olympic and nine World medals to her credit. “Athlete reps attend the technical meetings, where we can speak but not vote. I look forward to continuing the communication between the athletes and the FIG, and I hope I can help the athletes have more of a voice and to have more of an impact.”

At the 2008 Olympic Games, Liukin tied the U.S. gymnastics record of five medals at one Olympic Games set by Mary Lou Retton in 1984 and matched by Shannon Miller in 1992. She garnered the most medals of any gymnast at the 2008 Olympic Games. Liukin has won nine world medals (four gold and five silver), which ties the mark of nine world medals held by Shannon Miller, who has earned more world and Olympic medals than any other U.S. gymnast (16 total).

Among the awards Liukin has received during her career are: 2008 Women’s Sports Foundation’s individual Sportswoman of the Year; U.S. Olympic Committee Female Athlete of the Month for August 2008; and USOC Team of the Year for 2007 (along with her 2007 World Championships teammates). She was named USA Gymnastics’ Women’s Athlete of the Year in 2005 and tied for the honor in 2006. Liukin was named USA Gymnastics’ Sportswoman of the Year in 2008.

Liukin is in London for the World Championships, where she is working with several media outlets.