Oksana Chusovitina comes out of retirement to target 2022 Asian Games
The eight-time Olympian had said Tokyo 2020 would end her career
Artistic Gymnastics
Eight-time Olympian Oksana Chusovitina is back in training.
Previously, the 46-year-old gymnast, who won Olympic gold for the Unified Team at Barcelona 1992, had said - repeatedly - that the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games would be her final competition.
"These were tears of joy because so many people were supporting me," Chusovitina said of the standing ovation she received from the few on hand in Tokyo. "I had been preparing for things to end here, but it's impossible to be fully ready for ending your career."
But Thursday (30 September), Chusovitina announced she has (at least) one more goal left in her career.
"I want to tell everyone that I have decided to prepare for the Asian Games 2022," she said on her Instagram story. "I just can't finish my career without a medal for Uzbekistan."
The legendary gymnast also owns a vault silver at the Olympic Games, representing Germany. At the World Championships, she won three golds, four silvers, and four bronze. Her most recent medal at the global level came at the 2011 worlds.
Chusovitina has a history of success at the Asian Games, winning eight overall medals including two golds in 2002.
The 2022 Asian Games are scheduled for 10-25 September in Hangzhou, China.
Previously, Chusovitina had announced her retirement at least once, after competing at the London Olympics in 2012.