Age is but a number. Or so people like to say. But when it comes to sports, people realize just how hard it is to sustain continued performance even for one more year. So when things suddenly get catapulted to the Olympics, it’s easy to dismiss it as the stage for young people at their physical peaks. But come this gymnastic season, one 49-year-old veteran is all set to change that notion. This is none other than the legendary Oksana Chusovitina.

After appearing in an impressive 8 Olympics, most of the athletes would have called it a day. However, Oksana seems to be a different species altogether. Despite accomplishing a significant lot in women’s gymnastics, she looks locked in to make her 9th Olympic appearance! And she would have made it to Paris had not an unfortunate injury cut her campaign short. 

Ahead of the Paris Olympics, the Uzbek had to withdraw herself from the 2024 Asian Gymnastics Championships back in May. However, such a small setback does not seem to deter her spirits. In fact, with renewed vigor, Chusovitina has now embarked on a comeback journey in 2025. The soon-to-be 50 will compete in the vault and balance beam at the 2025 edition of the Cottbus World Cup.

The Cottbus World Cup will surely bring back a lot of memories for Chusovitina. After all, this is an event in which the 49-year-old first competed way back in 1989. Speaking about her preparations for the World Cup, Oksana mentioned that her injury has healed completely. She also claimed that, as she’s not trying to overdue in the gym, the feeling of competing is fantastic.

However, Chusovitina also mentioned that if indeed she can qualify, that will be a moment of great joy for her. Meanwhile, if she does not, Chusovitina will likely not sit back and lament over the spilled milk. Now, speaking about Chusovitina being a legend who loves to break stereotypes, there is a particular reason why she wants to give her ninth Olympic appearance a shot. And no, it is not a medal. 

Oksana Chusovitina wants to prove that gymnastics is not a young woman’s game

She confesses that her end goal remains to compete at LA28. This would be truly monumental if Oksana could make it happen. After all, she would be 53 by 2028. And the sheer idea of watching a 53-year-old gymnast compete with the younger lot is enough to keep the fans enthralled.

But Chusovitina sounds quite firm in her mission. Speaking to Olympics.com, the 49-year-old stated, “My number one goal is to get to Los Angeles.” She further added, “But there is so much time before then, so I’m not thinking that far ahead. I go step-by-step, from one competition to the next, because there are other activities besides gymnastics.” 

With three World Championship golds and an Olympic gold medal, Oksana Chusovitina has achieved quite a lot during her career. Thus, while more medals will surely be an added caveat, Chusovitina has something entirely different to prove to the world. It is often said that gymnastics is usually suited for young athletes. Last year in Paris, legendary Simone Biles too was cited as ’old’ for the sport at just 27! 

With this in mind, Oksana has decided that she will break these stereotypes. While speaking with Olympics.com she mentions, “I want to prove to myself; I’m fighting with myself, and I still want to see whether I can do this or not. I really want to qualify for the Olympics, specifically at this age, and overcome all this talk that gymnastics is only for young people.”

She further explained that a female gymnast is not obliged to hang up her leotard just because she is 30. On the contrary, if a gymnast feels ready, she must have the liberty to compete for as long as she wants.