LONDON (GBR), FIG Office, October 16, 2009: Fans gave a hearty welcome to two gymnastic legends as they met today under the banner of excellence and Olympism. Nastia Liukin (USA) and Nellie Kim (BLR) are the megastars of the Beijing Games in 2008, Montreal 1976 and Moscow 1980.

A bit of history.

Last year at the Beijing Olympics, the American collected 5 medals (1 Gold, 3 Silver and 1 Bronze); just under 20, her record boasts 9 world championship podiums and a promising career. For Nellie Kim, however, an active sporting career is a thing of the past yet she remains involved at the head of the FIG Women’s Gymnastics Technical Committee. Nellie is known for having secured the gymnastics grail known as “the perfect 10” on two occasions at the Montreal Games where she took 3 Gold medals and 1 Silver. Two new titles fought for and won at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow would complete her Olympic achievements.

Today, despite a substantial generational difference, their talent brings them together in London for the 41st World Championships. Nastia, on mandatory rest, has just been elected to the FIG Athlete’s Commission and will henceforth act as a go-between for gymnasts of her discipline and Nellie Kim; their collective and primary aim is to further the development of gymnastics, to which they have devoted their lives.