Gymnastics: 30-year-old Chusovitina eyes Beijing

MELBOURNE - Gymnast Oksana Chusovitina, 30, is the oldest competitor at the world championships in Melbourne starting today, an astounding achievement given that most international female competitors are considered pensionable by the age of 20.

"When you are on the podium, no one asks whether you're 15 or 30," Chusovitina, from Uzbekistan, said through an interpreter.

"What matters is whether you can do great gymnastics.

"I'm here because I love gymnastics. I will compete and will enjoy it while I can."

The 2003 world vault champion has an additional reason to continue competing. Her son Alisher was diagnosed with leukaemia in 2002 and has been receiving treatment in Germany.

The money she earns competing on the circuit goes towards his medical bills.

"If I was not involved in gymnastics it would not have been possible for us to move to Germany to have highly qualified treatment," said Chusovitina, who is married to Olympic wrestler Bakhodir Kurbanov.

"Secondly, when this happened whenever I was competing the gymnastics communities across the world tried to put together funds to help us pay for the treatment.

"So (by competing) I would like to thank the whole gymnastics community who have helped us in tough times."

The sacrifices in the gym, and in moving to Germany, had paid off, with Alisher, now six, much better, she said.

A four-time Olympian, Chusovitina was a member of the gold medal-winning Unified Team in Barcelona in 1992.

Chusovitina said she saw no problems in continuing to juggle the demands of a family and international gymnastics and would continue at least the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"As for my plans, if everything is all right I'm looking forward to competing in Beijing in 2008 and then who knows? Maybe I will continue."

- REUTERS