This is my newest creation. Nastia was such a big focus of the past quadrennium, for good reason. She always had the talent. She had the genes with two amazing Soviet gymnasts as parents. During the long four years from her senior debut to the Olympics, she went through a lot of ups and downs–a LOT of them. From time to time, she made big mistakes even though it was obvious she was the best gymnast on the floor. Then, around the time of the 2006 Worlds, she injured her ankle. She had a long, frustrating recovery. By 2007 she was still not 100% but pulled it together for the 2007 Worlds. She won the beam title and a bars silver along with team gold. But in the all-around, she fell on beam. Certain people (*cough* NBC’s Al Trautwig *cough*) implied she was old and washed-up. But come 2008, she was looking so strong. She avoided injury and peaked at the perfect time for the Olympics. She put on a stellar show to win the all-around title and take silver in team, on beam, and on bars, and bronze on floor. I love the girl. I set the montage to White Houses by Vanessa Carleton because it seemed to fit.
We should be seeing Nastia back in competition again. 2009 Worlds, look out. London 2012? I sure hope so!
