Oksana Chusovitina is an Uzbekistan gymnast who has participated in the Olympics since 1992 – that’s 8 years of Olympics back-to-back! After winning a gold medal and a silver medal in the 1992 Barcelona Olympics and the 2008 Beijing Olympics respectively, she chose to not to retire and continue as an Olympic athlete. 

Over the course of 8 Olympic games, she represented the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan, and Germany.

You might be thinking why would someone want to compete in so many Olympics? Well, the reason behind her decision is because in 2002, her 3-year-old son was diagnosed with leukaemia. To pay for the medical expenses, Oksana had to keep on practicing and competing in the Olympics. 

Even though every time she went for a competition, she would constantly worry about her son who was in a hospital bed. She knew she had no choice but stay strong, try not to get injured and not to make mistakes because she needed the money for him. 

Her now 22-year-old son has recovered, and this remarkable gymnast and mother finally decided to take her last jump in the Olympics. On the 25th of July 2021, Oksana took her last jump at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and received a standing ovation from the audience and even the media and there was not a dry eye in the house. 

When speaking about this moment, she said “It was really nice. I cried tears of happiness because so many people have supported me for a long time. I didn’t look at the results, but I feel very proud and happy. I’m saying goodbye to sports."

Oksana, Queen, it is time you take a good rest and spent time with your family. We wish you nothing buy joy, love and peace!