Nastia Liukin (left) and Shawn Johnson
Amy Sancetta/AP
On Friday, U.S. gymnasts Nastia Liukin and Shawn Johnson had the opportunity to avenge their somewhat disappointing silver-medal finish in the team competition. And boy did they deliver.
The two friends (and roommates in the Olympic Village) – who made a few small errors in Wednesday's competition – showcased their consistence and strength in the individual all-around. The only question: Who would win the gold?
Johnson – the 2007 all-around world champion – saw the writing on the wall after Liukin's floor exercise. "When I saw her score," Johnson told reporters after the meet, "I knew I couldn't beat her. I gave my heart and soul out there. It couldn't be better, with USA placing one and two. Nastia deserved the gold."
In the end, Liukin won the gold with a score of 63.325 and Johnson took silver with a 62.725. China's Yilin Yang placed third.
Liukin's win was especially poignant for her coach and dad, Valeri Liukin. "It's a feeling that I don't think any father can describe," he said. "Many years ago, I was second [in the men's all-around] at the Seoul Olympics, so it's nice to fix that mistake I made. Nastia was ready this time. We worked hard – I was nervous but strongly believed that she would do her job."
In 1988, Nastia's father won two golds and a pair of silvers. "I'm still chasing him for that medal count," she joked at the press conference later. "But I still have three more [individual apparatus] finals to beat him!"
