Mamma mia – Greece's Vasiliki Millousi returns to the arena to the delight of fans at the 2023 European Artistic Gymnastics Championships
Away from competition for more than four years, the three-time Olympian and now mother of two wants to inspire women everywhere not to give up on their dreams after having a family.
Artistic Gymnastics
Fans the world over were delighted to see the return of Vasiliki Millousi at the artistic gymnastics European Championships taking place in Antalya, Türkiye on Wednesday (12 April).
The popular Greek competed on two pieces of apparatus – the uneven bars and balance beam – with the 38-year-old three-time Olympian looking back to her elegant self, despite a fall on both apparatus.
On completing the beam routine, Millousi presented to the judges, before immediately turning around to wave at the crowd. She had particular targets in mind – her two young children, Sofia and Eleni, her mother, mother-in-law and husband, Eleftherios Petrounias.
Gymnastics fans will recognise that name, or rather his nickname. The Lord of the Rings is a three-time world champion and 2016 Olympic gold medallist on the still rings. He is competing alongside his wife in Antalya and is aiming for a sixth European title on his specialist apparatus come Saturday (15 April) after qualifying for the final on Tuesday.
Vasiliki Millousi and her gymnastics family
So, the big question asked of Millousi on her return to the fray after four years away in an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, was quite simple: How do you feel?
“I feel so excited to be back in the gymnastics hall and in the arena again,” said Millousi who retired after competing at the World Championships in Doha in October 2018. A couple of months earlier, she had qualified for the beam final at the European Championships where she finished eighth.
When asked what it was like to be back with her gymnastics family whom she was high-fiving and cheering on throughout the competition, Millousi beamed.
“I love this feeling. That’s why I’m here again. I love to be with the team, I love to encourage the team, I love to help, to try, and I’m here because I miss all of these things. The stress before the competition, the stress in the competition, the feeling, the sadness, happy, all these feelings. Amazing and unique.”
The European team bronze medallist from 1999, wants to be an inspiration too, especially to other women who have had families.
“I would like to be a very good role model and encourage women – never give up and never give up after children, after family. They can do whatever they want inside (indicating her heart).”
If they have the passion? “Yes.”
Paris 2024?
Asked if she is proud of her performance today, particularly after such a lengthy absence, Millousi is unequivocal.
“I am. I’m proud to be here and also with the score of the beam – almost 12 points with a fall, seems like, okay, I still can do it. And I can still think a bit higher, and you never know what’s going to happen in the future.”
And that future, does that include a certain event in Paris in 2024?
“I can’t even think about it… but in my mind, always,” she smiles.
You’ve done three Olympics so that could be four.
“I would like to be there with my family, with my husband, and to compete again in my fourth Olympics. I can’t even believe it. It’s going to be my biggest dream at the moment.”
So how would you sum up your day today?
“Amazing feelings. Big feelings.”