INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – USA Gymnastics didn’t look far for to find Martha Karolyi’s successor as the leader of its powerhouse women’s program.
Valeri Liukin, a four-time Olympic medalist and father of 2008 Olympic champion Nastia Liukin, was chosen the successor to Karolyi on Friday. Karolyi retired last month after guiding Team USA to nine medals at the Rio Olympics, including four golds for all-around champion Simone Biles.
Liukin has worked as USA Gymnastics elite development coordinator since 2013, a position that allowed him to guide athletes toward the 2020 and 2024 Olympics.
He won two gold and two silver medals at the 1988 Olympics while competing for the Soviet Union before co-founding the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy in Texas. The gym has produced more than 30 U.S. national team members and 35 world championship and Olympic medals.
“I’m ready to put all of my knowledge and passion into leading the women’s national team to continued success,” Liukin said in a statement.