SportsLiukin Hopes to Turn Bars Into Olympic GoldLiukin Hopes to Turn Bars Into Olympic GoldThe Associated PressNastia Liukin is hoping to continue her success on the uneven bars as she prepares to qualify for the summer games in Beijing. (June 3)America's best hope for gold in women's gymnastics this summer may rest on the shoulders of a girl who was born in the U-S-S-R.Since 2005 Nastia Luikin (LOO'-kihn) has won on the biggest national and international stages and has established herself as the world's best in a number of events.And now with the olympics right around the corner she is doing her best to make sure she doesn't falter on the biggest stage of them all.SOT LiukinI don't want to go in there and have anything to regret to think if I would have done this maybe this would have been better. So I'm just trying to do everything I can to be in the best shape when the right time comes.But her success may come from more than hard work.Her mother was a world champion at the club levels and her father took him two golds and a silver for the Soviets back in 19-88.Now he's her coach and she wouldn't have it any other way.SOT LiukinI definitely wouldn't have been here if someone else would have coached me.And what they have done together is come up with a routine on the uneven bars so difficult it's start value is a staggering seven-point-seven.All of which leaves the coach of the U-S team seeing gold.SOT KarolyiIf we combine with her 7-7 start she's relaistic chance for highest level of medal. This is one of the best bar routines in the world.Still she's looking for more than individual success at Beijing and says she'll do whatever to help the team as a whole.SOT LiukinWe're going into the olympic games as being the best team in the world and everyone is out to get us, that only makes us harder as we want to leave Beijing as the best team in the world again.But for all of her accomplishment and skills she also knows the bitter taste of defeat.A nagging ankle injury has had some critics wondering if she's past her prime and trying to do too much.She herself says even if doesn't achieve success in Beijing her career won't be a failure.SOT LiukinLife isn't all about the olympic games.Still she says she can't wait for those first few days in Beijing.SOT LiukinBeing able to say I was on the olympic team would mean everything and win a medal would mean so much more. ___ ___, The Associated Press.
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