Not Simone Biles but Another Gymnastics Legend Enroute to Be Oldest Contender at Paris Olympics 2024

The highly anticipated Olympics 2024 is only a few months away. Many staunch athletes aim to secure their spot to exhibit their skills on the mat next year. Young collegiate gymnasts, including Sunisa Lee and Jordan Chiles, also look forward to securing another Olympic medal at the following year’s event. G.O.A.T. of gymnastics, Simone Biles, at the age of 26, is also in a heated competition to be able to secure accolades on the mats of Paris. After pulling out of the Tokyo Olympics, the gymnast made a remarkable comeback at this year’s U.S. championship held in August

Interestingly, amid the comeback of Simone Biles, it seems another comeback story is going to be written. A 48-year-old gymnast, after bidding farewell to gymnastics amid the Tokyo Olympics, eyeing for a comeback in the Olympics arena. If it happens, she will be the oldest contender at the Paris Olympics in 2024. Recently, the athlete was spotted at a gymnastics event held in China.

Another comeback after Simone Biles?

Uzbek gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, who had decided not to participate in any event after the Tokyo Olympics, was recently spotted at the Hangzhou Asian Games, according to a report by China Daily. She participated in the women’s gymnastics qualification on September 25. Thousands of fans were spotted at Huanglong Gymnasium chanting “Qiu Ma,” meaning Mother Chusovitina.

Interestingly, amid her performance at the Asian Games, the athlete also looks forward to participating in the Paris Olympics next year. In the event of her selection, the athlete will compete against Simone Biles of the United States, who is 26 years old. According to China Daily, Chusovitina, is the most senior female gymnast to participate in the Olympics, with eight appearances. The report says, “she is one shy of the Olympic appearance record for a woman in any sport held by Georgian shooter Nini Salukvadze, who competed in Tokyo at the age of 52.”

Chusovitina started her Olympic journey in 1992 while representing the former Soviet Union and later represented her country, Uzbekistan. However, the athlete switched to the German team before the 2008 Olympics held in Beijing.

Keeping passion alive against all odds

In 2006, Chusovitina adopted the citizenship of Germany to treat his son, who was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002. The gymnast decided to represent Germany at the big games to attain a better income to help with his son’s medical treatment. However, after her son’s recovery, the athlete’s love for gymnastics continued to stay alive, as she came back to represent Uzbekistan at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics held in 2016.

Lastly, in 2021, the athlete decided to retire from the games; however, Chusovitina’s passion for the sport again prompted her to exhibit skills on the mat. According to the athlete who still wants to achieve more, “the biggest motivation is my desire. I want to perform. I love gymnastics.”

Also read: Despite ?Twisties? Force-Stopping Her Olympic Run, Legendary Gymnast Simone Biles Carves Her Name in History

From changing nationalities to helping her kid and keeping her passion for gymnastics alive, even at the age of 48, Oksana Chusovitina truly puts the meaning behind the words “age as just a number.” The Chusovitina fans are also girded up to witness the athlete secure her spot and create history alongside Simone Biles on the soil of Paris.

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