(ATR) Fans of Olympic champion gymnast Nastia Liukin will get a behind-the-scenes glimpse of her training regimen through an upcoming Visa marketing campaign.
The reigning all-around gold medalist will be featured in the credit giant's "Go World" spots to be released in the lead-up to London 2012.
Visa supports a number of other Team USA athletes such as swimmer Michael Phelps, sprinter Allyson Felix and gymnast Alicia Sacramone. While past "Go World" campaigns also featured Olympians, these new advertisements will show them preparing for competition for the first time.
During recent filming at her gym in Texas, Liukin told Around the Ringsthat a lot of preparation goes into the Olympics.
"It’s not every four years," she said. "It’s an every single day process."
Liukin, now 22, won three silver medals, one bronze and the individual all-round at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
Two years before those Games, she signed on with Visa, whose support before she became an Olympic medalist has meant a lot to her.
While she was in Beijing, a Visa advertisement in particular provided Liukin with some inspiration.
Before the start of competition, Liukin saw an advertisement coupling a life-size picture of her with the word "destiny."
"It was a really cool moment. One of my dreams had already come true of making it on the Olympic team,but I had dreams beyond that," she said.
"It wasn’t enough for me to make that Olympic team – it was hopefully to win an Olympic gold medal. As soon as I saw that, it gave me this confidence that it was my destiny to be here and hopefully win an Olympic gold medal."
After Beijing, she took some time off and tried other endeavors such as a clothing and leotard line.
In the end, she said she missed training and wanted to try forthe 2012 Games.
"I told myself I’d be in London one way or the other and I didn’t want to be sitting in the stands, wondering what if I’d tried," she told ATR.
Whether she qualifies, Liukin said she will be content with the outcome.
"I’ve already achieved my ultimate goals and dreams in Beijing," she added.
"Of course, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to make the Olympic team and win a gold medal."
Written by Ann Cantrell.
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