The State of Israel was rightly excited with Alex Shtilov on the occasion of his participation in the Olympic Games for the fourth time in a row.
However, the world of gymnastics as a whole was moved by a completely different story: the legendary Uzbek gymnast, Oksana Chusovitina, reached a phenomenal milestone in Tokyo - her eighth appearance at the Olympics, at the age of 46.
Chusovitina's very long career, beyond its duration, illustrates that "what does not kill - forges".
At the age of 12, after her rare talent was identified, she was transferred to a school in Moscow.
A year later, she had already won the gold medal in a major battle at the USSR Children's Championship.
At the age of 17 she reached her first Olympics, in Barcelona 1992, won the team gold and finished seventh in the ground exercise.
It is highly doubtful that even then she thought she would participate in seven more Olympic Games, represent two more countries - and she will also have to deal with her son's leukemia, Elishar, who led the family to a long period of treatment in Germany.
And it was in the German media, 16 years after her debut at the Olympics, that she achieved her only personal medal - silver at the jumping table in Beijing.
Since then, it has again represented Uzbekistan, whose government has opened a school in its name - and has continued to rake in extraordinary achievements.
In 2018, for example, she won, at the age of 43, the silver medal at the jumping table at the Asian Games.
However, of course, the biggest story of all was her participation in the Tokyo Olympics - one that led to great enthusiasm among the gymnastics community, including Simon Bales who took care to be photographed with the legendary Chusovitina.
In Tokyo.
Photo: AP,
Uzbekistan's ambassador to Israel, Prose Mahmoudova, said: "We are proud of legendary athletes like Chusovitina, who was awarded for her love and passion for the homeland. Her appearance in eight consecutive Olympic Games, an outstanding achievement in world sports, is recorded in the Guinness Book of Records."
"to work hard"
In a special interview with "Israel Today" from Uzbekistan, Chusovitina sums up her rare career, enthusiastically praising the gold medalist in the ground exercise Artium Dolgofiat, whom she has known closely since he was a child, and provides the younger generation with advice for a long and glorious career like hers.
"What leads me is the love for the sport I play," she explains.
"If a person enjoys what he does, and succeeds - then it adds up."
Will we see you compete in the Paris 2024 Games as well?
"The games in Tokyo were my last. I have now opened a club, and I want to train children and develop the gymnastics industry in Uzbekistan."
What do you think professionally about Olympic champion Artium Dolgofiat?
"I have appreciated Artium for many years, and know how difficult it has been for him to achieve. I congratulate him from the bottom of my heart. He has achieved in Tokyo the greatest achievement of all, and I expect him to achieve a similar medal in Paris 2024."
We witnessed in Tokyo the collapse of Simon Bales. How do you explain that?
"In the gymnastics industry everyone knows everyone and each other's friends, and I can not answer in the name of Simon. I wish her all the best, and that she will come back to herself in the upcoming competitions."
How did you manage to complete such a long career?
"I have a wonderful family, and the air of Uzbekistan helps me feel young. I invite Israelis to come here and see and feel it."
What are your key keys for the younger generation on the road to success?
"Work hard, listen to the coach in any condition and do not give up - go for your goals with all your might."
Chosubitina in action.
Entered the Guinness Book of Records, Photo: AFP,
