Nastia Liukin is just your average 19-year-old. She loves the color pink, checks her Blackberry about every two minutes and still modestly giggles when you mention her accomplishments and fame.
What is not so average about Liukin, though, is her down to earth attitude and bright, outgoing and friendly persona that she greets everyone with. Never mind she is an idol from coast to coast, dons an array of Olympic medals at her home in Plano and hangs out with other Olympians on the weekends. The 2008 Olympic individual all-around gold medalist just wants to be a normal college student.
“Every time I came to the SMU campus I felt like this was the place for me to go to school,” said Liukin. “I’ve always liked school, and I missed being in school. SMU was definitely convenient because I’m living at home and it’s a great school.”
While her training schedule only allows her to take two classes, Liukin is thrilled to be leading what she considers a “normal life.”
“I think I want to major in international business but I’m not for sure yet. I train from eight to twelve in the morning and 3:30 to 6:30 in the afternoon, so I had to find to classes on Tuesday and Thursday because I travel on the weekends so it was hard finding classes in that time period,” said Liukin.
When asked how normal the life of an Olympic gold medalist can be, Liukin laughed and just said she enjoys being back in school because it gives her a chance to take her mind off training and meet new friends.
“It’s such a different life for me because I used to go to school with people I trained with so I never had to meet new people or make new friends,” explained Liukin. “I was used to just knowing everyone and now I don’t know anyone here.”
Formally known as Anatasia, many students failed to realize Liukin was in their class on the first day. Going unrecognized in her first class, Liukin claims that by wearing her hair down and dressing in normal clothes, not many people point her out. It is when she dons a ponytail and sports clothes that people start identifying the Russian-born gymnast.
“In my second class they did role call, and my teacher said if you go by a different name just tell me. When I told him I go by Nastia everyone just turned around and was like “Oh my gosh! She’s here!”
But fame continues to not phase her. When asked if she feels weird when people ask for her autograph, Liukin explained it still feels weird to be considered a celebrity on the same level as Yao Ming or Michael Phelps.
Going on “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “Oprah” and “The View” with her fellow Olympians, while a huge rush, was still somewhat terrifying and definitely an adrenaline rush for the teenager.
Saying Conan was a little crazy and intimidating, Leno was more down to earth. Liukin said Leno just wanted to take pictures and get to know the athlete before subjecting her to the limelight.
The real test came when Liukin saw Ming and Phelps at the Beijing Games. She explained it was surreal to be around people that everyone considers famous. As for the fans screaming her name and wanting her autograph, the gymnast remains humble in keeping a low profile.
The five foot three Parker, Texas native left Beijing with five medals – one gold, three silver and one bronze. Despite beating teammate Shawn Johnson, who finished in second place in the all-around competition, the two remain close friends. In fact, Liukin still texts or talks to all of her teammates on a daily basis.
According to her to biography from the Olympics, Liukin’s former teammate Alicia Sacramone, a student at Brown University, hopes to one day open a boutique-clothing store with Liukin.
As she continues to settle back in school, Liukin put to rest all rumors about leaving or tranferring from SMU.
“I’m definitely planning on staying here. I’ve been living in this area since I was about four so it feels like home to me.”
