‘On the competition floor, we’re all equal’: At 48, this gymnast eyes ninth Olympics in epic career

After Barcelona, Chusovitina began competing for her home nation Uzbekistan. She went on to represent Uzbekistan at three Olympics, multiple Asian Games and World Championships.

In 2002, Chusovitina’s two-year-old son Alisher was diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukaemia. To get the best treatment for him, the gymnast and her family moved to Germany. She then represented Germany from 2006 to 2012.

“This was the most difficult moment in my career because when your child is sick, you know that you can’t help him, only treatment can,” she said.

“I am grateful to the entire gymnastic world, which supported me at that moment, which helped me in every way that it could help me.”

In 2008, Chusovitina clinched her second Olympics medal, a vault silver at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. But more importantly, she received the “most joyful news that a mother can receive”. Alisher was completely healthy.

“Not a single Olympic medal, even a gold medal, or even two gold medals, can compare,” she said.

Chusovitina eventually switched back to representing Uzbekistan and competed at the 2016 and 2020 Olympics. Her plan was for the Tokyo Olympics to be her swansong.

She decided to press on after Tokyo, but it wasn’t for the glory.

“Why should I leave the sport if it brings me joy?” she said. “Every athlete wants to stand on the podium with a medal, but I did not come back because of this. I came back because it brings me joy and, for now, I am able to do it well.”

THE “SECRET” OF LONGEVITY

While many consider her a living legend, Chusovitina is less keen on the tag.

“I have a long way to go until I can be called a legend,” she said. “To be honest, I’m a little embarrassed about it. Somehow for me it still sounds very grand.”

At competitions, there is “no time for compliments”, she added.

“No matter how old you are, on the competition floor, we are all equal. This is why I am also competing with young and middle-aged athletes. When you go out into the competition, there is no such thing as age.”