As we approach the 2008 Summer Olympics, now is a good time to talk about some Olympians who have been homeschooled. Being able to make education work around training through homeschooling is something many of these athletes such as Nastia Liukin have in common with each other. Nastia was homeschooled by her mother in order to work around her rigorous schedule.
Anastasia Luikin was born in Moscow Russia October 30, 1989 to Anna and Valeri Luikin who were gymnasts. Her family moved to the United States when she was two and a half years old. As her parents were both gymnastics coaches, it was only natural for Natsia to become a gymnast. She began competing at the early age of six. She was an elite gymnast by the age of 12.
Nastia is currently a four-time U.S. National Champion in artistic gymnastics and is the 2007 and 2005 World Champion on the balance beam and the 2005 World Champion on the uneven bars. She is tied with Shannon Miller in the number of World Championships medals.
Other accomplishments are as follows:
- Silver medal: World Uneven Bars 2006
- Medalist: 3-time Pan American Games 2007
- Bronze Medal: US National All Around 2007
- World Team Champion: 2007
- Silver medal: World Uneven Bars 2007
- Champion: World Balance Beam 2007
- Champion: American Cup 2008
- Champions: Pacific Rim Team 2008
- Champion: Pacific Rim All Around 2008
- Silver: Pacific Rim Uneven Bars 2008
- Champion: Pacific Rim Beam 2008
Anastasia has an official website where she communicates with her public and offers a line of AVAI Olympic gymnast products. Fans can watch her performances through you tube videos and follow her career.
References: www.usolympicteam.com, http://www.nastialiukin.com
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