INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. 23, 2019 – Five-time Olympic and nine-time World medalist Nastia Liukin will be inducted into the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Hall of Fame on Nov. 1 in Colorado Springs, Colo. The induction ceremony is being held in conjunction with the all-alumni U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Team Reunion.
Liukin, who hails from Parker, Texas, is one of the USA’s most decorated gymnasts. At the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, Liukin’s total of five medals tied the U.S. gymnastics record for most medals in one Olympic Games. Liukin’s Olympic medals are gold – all-around; silver – team, balance beam and uneven bars; and bronze – floor exercise. She was the third of five U.S. women to win the Olympic all-around crown. She also won nine World medals in her career. Liukin trained at WOGA and was coached by her father, Valeri, who has four Olympic medals from 1988, including two gold. Liukin has been inducted into the USA Gymnastics Hall of Fame as a member of the 2007 World Championships Team and as an individual athlete, as well as into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.
Liukin has graced many magazine covers and appeared on various shows, including “Gossip Girl,” “Make It or Break It,” and the feature film, “Stick It.” Liukin was a contestant on the 2015 spring edition of “Dancing with the Stars” and was the grand marshal for the 2015 Indianapolis 500. Whether she’s mentoring aspiring gymnasts, sharing her edgy personal style, adventuring to gorgeous destinations, or revamping her workout routine, Liukin uses her story to encourage young women to turn their own dreams into reality and hopes to inspire others to find their passions. She currently serves as a gymnastics analyst for NBC Sports and is a founder of Grander, a global community for the next generation of female athletes that provides access to the people who inspire, resources to help achieve dreams, and communities of like-minded people with similar ambitions.
The other inductees for 2019 include Candace Cable (Para alpine skiing, Para Nordic skiing, Para track and field), Lisa Leslie (basketball), Misty May-Treanor (beach volleyball), Apolo Anton Ohno (short track speedskating), Erin Popovich (Para swimming), Dara Torres (swimming), Chris Waddell (Para alpine skiing, Para track and field), the 1998 U.S. Olympic Women’s Ice Hockey Team, John Carlos (legend: track and field), Tommie Smith (legend: track and field), Ron O’Brien (coach: diving) and Tim Nugent (special contributor).
Others from the gymnastics community who are in the USOP Hall of Fame are: 1984 U.S. Olympic Men’s Team; 1996 U.S. Olympic Women’s Team; Bart Conner, 1991; Abie Grossfeld, 2009, coach; Shannon Miller, 2006; Mary Lou Retton, 1985; and Peter Vidmar, 1991.
Prior to the 2019 class, the USOP Hall of Fame had 109 individual Olympians and Paralympians; 10 teams; four coaches; and 18 special contributors for a total of 139. The finalists are chosen via public vote and representatives of the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic family (Athletes’ Advisory Council, National Governing Bodies, Multi-Sport Organizations, USOPC board of directors, members of the media, and corporate partners). 2019 is the first time in seven years that a class has been named. Going forward, 13 inductees with be added to the Hall of Fame every two years thereafter, and the Hall will be housed at the U.S. Olympic Museum in Colorado Springs, Colorado, which is expected to open early next year. The USOP Hall of Fame was established in 1979, with the initial members named in 1983 (no additional members were added between 1992 and 2003).