Those who have listened to "The Female Scholar-Official" all know that, after passing the imperial examinations in ancient times, learned men would wear palace flowers on their heads and ride horses in a procession for three days to celebrate their success. After becoming an advanced scholar at the age of 46 during the Tang Dynasty, Meng Jiao wrote "With the spring breeze at my back, my horse's hooves quicken, I can see all the flowers of Chang'an in one day." His words reveal his uncontainable pride. Nastia Liukin, the American gymnastics beauty, has achieved remarkable success in this Olympic Games. Yesterday, she toured Beijing with five medals hanging around her neck (one gold, three silver, and one bronze), deeply embodying the essence of the ancient celebration of official success.
Both parents are gymnastics champions
Nastia Liukin was born into a family of champions. Her father is Valeri Liukin, a famous Russian gymnast who won a gold medal in gymnastics at the 1988 Seoul Olympics; Nastia's mother is also a rhythmic gymnast and has been a world champion in rhythmic gymnastics.
As the daughter of a distinguished family, Liukin also hoped to emulate her father and win an Olympic gold medal. Liukin started gymnastics training at the age of four and is most skilled in balance beam and uneven bars. At the 2005 World Championships, she alone won the championships in these two events.
The gymnastics gym in Texas is gaining fame
With Nastia Liukin winning five medals at the Beijing Olympics, the gymnastics gym opened by her father and coach in Texas has also become well-known. In addition, there are several gymnastics gyms opened by former Olympic champions in Texas, which have already cultivated 18 top female gymnasts. Nowadays, Texas has undoubtedly become the take-off place for dreams of young American gymnasts.