Foes happy to be teammates

By Larry Fine  |   2008-7-8  |     NEWSPAPER EDITION

SHAWN Johnson and Nastia Liukin, who battled each other in competition the past year as the leading US gymnasts, will join forces as Olympic teammates in Beijing.

The petite, powerful Johnson and the tall, elegant Liukin claimed the first two places of the US women's gymnastics team by leading the US Olympic trials late last month.

"We're such good friends, we've shared so many different experiences, the tough workouts," world all-around champion Johnson said.

"Knowing that Nastia was named was very exciting for me. Having her being my biggest competitor, we work so well together. We push each other so hard to get to the next level and we're such good friends."

Liukin, 18, looked a little worn out by the second day of the trials, making uncharacteristic mistakes on the uneven bars - one of her best events - as the grind of the recent US championships coupled with the trials seemed to take a toll.

"I'm glad to get that out of the way here," Liukin said. "Hopefully toward the end of the summer it will be perfect."

Liukin and Johnson, 16, shared a teary-eyed hug after their selection.

"It's been a long process for everybody," said Liukin, who has overcome a series of injuries while still collecting a US record-tying nine medals from three world championships.

Johnson overcame the hardship of Iowa's recent severe flooding that damaged her gym in Des Moines. She had to shift some of her training ahead of the trials while her family and members of the community pitched in to repair the facility.