Support The Moscow Times!

Russian-Born U.S. Gymnast to Cover Sochi Olympics for NBC

Fluent in both English and Russian, the retired gymnast will cover the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi for television network NBC. The Heart Truth

Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin will cover the upcoming 2014 Winter Games in Sochi for television network NBC.

"Nastia is a decorated Olympic champion who brings a unique perspective to Russia's first Winter Olympics, both as an athlete and a member of a family with a tremendous sports legacy dating back to the former Soviet Union," said Jim Bell, executive producer of NBC Olympics, in a press release published on Wednesday.

Liukin, 24, was born in Moscow in 1989 to Valeri and Anna Liukin. Her father won four gymnastics medals for the Soviet Union at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Her mother, a rhythmic gymnast, won a world title in 1987.

The family moved to the U.S. two years after Nastia was born, and she began practicing gymnastics in her parents' gym a short time later. She won five medals at the 2008 Beijing Games, including the gold in the all-around.

"As both a U.S. Olympic gold medalist and as a dual U.S.-Russian citizen whose family has an Olympic legacy in Russia, the Sochi Games will be particularly meaningful to me," Liukin said in a statement to RIA Novosti.

She added she is "honored and excited" to bring her unique background to Russia's first Winter Olympics.

Liukin will serve as a reporter for NBC's Olympic coverage and will present daily features for The Olympic Zone, a daily show for NBC affiliates covering all aspects of the Games.

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more