Comes from a family of gymnasts: mother, Anna, was a rhythm gymnastics world champion in 1987; father, Valeri, medaled four times, including two golds, in the 1988 Olympics for the Soviet Union national team.
Began competing at age 6.
Trained at the WOGA (World Olympic Gymnastics Academy), which was co-founded by her parents; other alumni include 2004 all-around Olympic gold medalist Carly Patterson.
Two-time all-around national champion in 2005 and 2006.
Suffered an ankle injury in 2006 that required surgery.
Shares the record (with Shannon Miller) for the most world championship medals (nine) by a U.S. gymnast.
Won 5 medals at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, including a gold medal in the All-Around and a team silver.
Retired from competitive gymnastics in 2012 after failing to earn a berth for the 2012 Olympics, but still traveled to London with the team as the athlete representative for the Federation of International Gymnasts.
Relationships
Matt Lombardi — Fiancé
Valeri Liukin — Father
Anna Kotchneva Liukin — Mother
College
Attended Southern Methodist University, Dallas, Texas, United States; attends New York University, New York, New York, United States