Nastia Liukin

When Supergirl lent its iconic “S-Shield” to sponsor the 2010 Nastia Liukin Cup Series, the brand did so because the five-time Olympic medalist is emblematic of the shield itself — an expression of strength, creativity, and girl empowerment. “Never quit on a bad day,” is the mantra of this twenty-year old who has felt the thrill of victory and agony of defeat in a way few others have ever experienced. In the history of Olympic competition, Nastia holds the grand distinction of being the 2008 Olympic individual all-around gold medalist and has joined Mary Lou Retton and Shannon Miller as the only American gymnasts to win five medals in one Olympic Games.

Just a year before her shining moment, it was doubtful Anastasia “Nastia” Liukin would make the trip to Beijing, as an extended recovery from an ankle surgery put the gymnast’s hopes for Olympic gold in jeopardy. She returned to competition in the Pan American Games and Visa Championships where, by her own admission, she entered competition at 80% fitness. Strengthened by hard work, fierce determination and a steadfast belief in herself, Nastia won a bronze medal in the all-around, a silver medal on the balance beam and her third-straight national uneven bars title. She was named a member of the World Championship team and went on to qualify for the Olympic Team Trials in Philadelphia, where her performance brought about the realization of her dream— selection for the 2008 Olympic team.

Born to Anna and Valeri Liukin, her mother a 1987 Rhythmic World Champion and her father a 1988 Olympic Champion, it was only natural that Nastia would find herself involved in gymnastics. At the age of two, Nastia and her parents left their native Moscow, Russia for Plano, Texas where Anna and Valeri established a training ground for aspiring gymnasts. Unable to afford a babysitter during their early years in the America, Valeri and Anna were forced to bring Nastia to the gym while they worked with students. She soon began mimicking the floor routines of other students, and by the age of six, Nastia began competing on her own.

By 2002, Nastia had evolved into an Elite gymnast and set off a remarkable series of accomplishments. By 2007, Nastia joined 1996 Olympic gold medalist Shannon Miller as the most decorated American gymnast in World Championship competition. Nastia is a four-time World Champion, nine-time World medalist, four-time U.S. National Champion and holds two American Cup titles as well as a Senior and Junior Pacific Rim Championship. Following her success in Beijing, Nastia was named the International Gymnastics Federation Athlete of the Year, Women’s Sports Foundation Individual Sportswoman of the Year, and the United States Sports Academy’s Female Athlete of the Year. In 2009, she was named USAG Athlete of the Year, USAG Sportswoman of the Year and won an ESPY for Female Athlete of the Year.

With an undeniable presence on and off the mat, Nastia has secured a multitude of promotional partnerships including Covergirl, Visa, AT&T, Herbal Essences, Pure Sport, Secret, Sega and the cover of the Wheaties box. Nastia has appeared in several television projects such as the hit TV series, Gossip Girl; the documentary, USA Gymnastics: Behind the Team; and the feature film, Stick It.

Nastia is always aware of how much life has given her and is determined to give back to those who are less fortunate. She is an active contributor to organizations including Susan G. Komen, Women’s Sports Foundation and The National Gymnastics Foundation. In August 2009, Nastia Liukin announced a partnership with USA Gymnastics to create the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup, which provides a competitive opportunity for the country’s top Junior Olympic gymnasts. Proceeds from the Nastia Liukin Supergirl Cup benefit the Nastia Liukin Fund, a charitable fund within the National Gymnastics Foundation.

Perhaps most important to Nastia, is her desire to be a positive role model for young girls and encourage them to “believe in themselves” and realize with “hard work and commitment to a dream, anything is possible”— a vision every Supergirl shares.