Remembering the Greats: Nastia Liukin

 When she first bounced into her first competition as a junior, five years old, we knew that little Nastia had potential. We watched as the little one flourished into a great gymnast. In 2005, Nastia won the Nationals, as well as the Worlds, and went on until Shawn Johnson came into the scene in 2007, won Nationals, but Nastia won the most important title in gymnastics, the Olympic All-Around. She made her father proud, but she decided she wanted to do it again.  She tried in 2012, to make the Olympic team, but she never made the Olympic team, but winning 2008 Olympic gold  was amazing, we all wanted Nastia to make it again, but she missed the cut, and as Nastia waved to the crowd one last time, she gave her bars routine, and left the sport forever. Just like her teammate Shawn Johnson did a year earlier, we know Nastia for her brilliant lines, her grace, her artistry. She was one of the greats, she had the qualities of the greats, Nadia Comeneci and Svetlana Khorkina. We will miss her, and we know that some of the WOGA gymnasts will gain her traits, but they will never replace Nastia in our hearts.