Were Alexander Artemev's and Nastia Liukin's father's on the same Russian team in gymnastics?

Question

I've think I have read articles where both Alexander's father and Nastia's father were both on the Soviet Union's team. Were they teammates?

Is there any connection how they both ended up taking the same path by both moving to the US, and having their kids compete? Or is it just a coincidence?

Answer 1

They were teammates. However, I don't believe they were teammates for the Olympics; it may have been other world competitions.

The other part, probably just a coincidence.

Answer 2

Alexander Artemev's dad, Vladimir, competed in the 1984 Olympics and then suffered a career ending knee injury. Nastia's dad, Valeri competed in the 1988 Olympics. He made his debut in 1985. So no, they were not teammates.