Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- An eight-time participant in the Olympic Games, the legendary gymnast Oksana Chusovitina is today in the center of attention not only of fans from Uzbekistan, but of the whole world. She achieved this thanks to many years and tireless work, firm and unshakable fortitude in mastering the secrets of the mastery of sports. At the Tokyo Olympics, she announced the end of her long career in gymnastics.

In an interview with Xinhua, she noted that the Olympic Games in Tokyo had their own characteristics due to the new type of coronavirus / COVID-19 /, in particular, there were no spectators in the stands and at the opening of the games. “But the games went very well. I want to note that there was a very good organization, everything was perfectly organized, the buses went on time. There was one such unusual ritual for us - every morning we took a PCR test in order to identify whether there are sick or not those who have contracted the coronavirus,” the athlete recalls with a smile.

Speaking about the participation of sports teams of foreign countries at the Tokyo Olympics, O. Chusovitina praised the performances of the sports delegation from China.

“The whole world is equal to Chinese gymnastics,” said the athlete from Uzbekistan. According to her, the secret of the success of Chinese gymnastics is that a lot of children are involved in this sport in China, which creates great competition and allows selection among athletes. She highlighted the well-established technique of performing exercises on the uneven bars. “I really want to invite someday a good specialist from China, so that he would study with our girls exactly how to perform exercises on the uneven bars,” O. Chusovitina shared her dream.

With great enthusiasm, the athlete recalled the 2008 Olympics in China, where she won the silver medal. According to her, the happiest Olympics in her life was the Olympics in Beijing, since very good memories are associated with it. “In general, China is remembered for what happened there, for what I have been waiting for for ten years. And this is not a medal, although I won silver there. After the Beijing Olympics, when I returned, I was told that my son, who had been undergoing treatment for many years, was completely healthy. I think this is the best news for the mother,” she said.

The gymnast believes that every child should play sports. She has big plans for the future, she wants to contribute to the development of physical culture and sports in Uzbekistan. “I would like to create such a club, such a school, so that at first as many children as possible go in for gymnastics or just sports. From there it will already be seen whether something will work out. If you don't succeed in becoming a gymnast, then you can go to another sport. The most important thing is to achieve mass participation, so that as many children as possible go in for sports. Not everyone turns out to be champions, we don't want to make everyone champions, but sport is a healthy lifestyle. I want us to have a healthy generation, so that our children are mobile, happy and joyful. I hope that this year we will open it / club /”, - said O. Chusovitina.

President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev recently awarded the renowned gymnast the honorary title "Honored Coach of Uzbekistan", and also instructed to create her sports school and organize the necessary conditions for her activities.

In an interview with O. Chusovitina, she also wished the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in China to be successful. “I wish there was more snow during the winter games, so that they went well. I would like to wish all the athletes good luck so that their dreams come true,” concluded the legendary gymnast.

Chusovitina was born on 19 June 1975 in Bukhara. She is an Olympic champion and the only gymnast in history to compete in eight Olympic Games / 1992, 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2016, 2020 /.