August 31  -  Nastia Liukin (pictured), the Olympic individual all-round champion, has told the United States selectors that she does not want to be considered for the World Gymnastics Championships at the O2 in London in October.

The Russian-born teenager has sacrificed the opportunity of becoming the most successful American female gymnast in the history of the World Championships to try to prolong her career until the London 2012 Olympics.

Liukin said: "Getting back into the gym and competition has been a major goal for me this summer, and I have worked hard to balance my training and obligations.
 
"This past year has been wonderful and a whirlwind. 

“With the selection process for worlds beginning next week, I realised I need to take some time to get myself where I need and want to be competitively.

"Competing at a World Championships is an incredible experience, and I look forward to supporting my teammates as they prepare for London."

Liukin, 19, is daughter of two former Soviet champion gymnasts, Olympic gold medalist Valeri Liukin - the first man to do a triple backflip - and World Champion rhythmic gymnast Anna Kotchneva.

Liukin was born in Moscow and moved to the United States as a young child. 

She has been a member of the US team since she was 12 years old and won the national all-around title at the age of 13.

Liukin was forced to miss the Athens Olympics in 2004 because under the sport's rules she was too young. 

But she made up for it at Beijing last year when she won the all-round title, silver medals in the team competition, uneven bars and balance and bronze in the floor.

Liukin's ambitions include becoming an actress but is determined to carry on until the next Games.
 
She said: “The 2012 Olympics in London remain an important goal for me. 

"I have more to accomplish in this sport.”

Liukin won the balance beam at the 2005 and 2007 World Championships and the uneven bars in 2005.

She also won a gold medal as part of the US team at the 2007 World Championships and with nine medals from the event is tied with Shannon Miller as the most successful American gymnast in its history.
 
Steve Penny, President of USA Gymnastics, said officials “are confident that she is making a decision that is in her and the team's best interest.”

The World Championships are due to take place between October 13 and 18.