American star Simone Biles was the oldest individual gold medallist in women's gymnastics at the 2024 Olympics at age 27 — and that's well past peak time for many in her sport.
Oksana Chusovitina wants to compete at the next Summer Games at almost double Biles' age.
The Uzbekistan gymnast, 51, said this week she will try to qualify for an astounding ninth Olympics in 2028 in Los Angeles.
“It’s sport, it’s gymnastics. If it’s possible, I will try to compete at LA28," Chusovitina told reporters after qualifying for the vault final at the Asian Games, per Olympics.com.
“So, yes, I will try to qualify.”
Chusovitina made her Olympic debut way back in 1992 as a member of the Unified Team in Barcelona. She also competed for Germany in 2008 and 2012, sandwiched between stints representing Uzbekistan.
Chusovitina won silver in the vault for Germany in 2008 and gold in the team event with the Unified Team in 1992.
“I never expected to be here but let me ask all of you: are you aware of what you will be doing 20 years from now?” she said at the Asian Games.
“It's not harder for me from year to year. It's still the same but (she's) becoming smarter and smarter every year.
“No big secrets. I have not had big injuries. So as long as I can continue doing this, I will do it.”
Chusovitina said she might even attempt to compete in more than just vault, her speciality, in 2028.
Chusovitina already holds the record for most Olympic appearances by a gymnast.
Canadian show jumper Ian Millar and Georgian sport shooter Nino Salukvadze share the overall record with 10 Olympic appearances.
