Where's the love for Liukin?

Question

I don't get it, the individual all-around gold medailist in Artistic Gymnastics at the Beijing Olympics is Nastia Liukin. Why is Shawn Johnson getting the Mary Lou Retten treatment and not Nastia? I watched them both and Shawn is a first rate tumbler..

Liukin impressed me not only with her tumbling but her artistry and musicality as well. She showed flexibility and strength and would finish movements with her rib cage, her toes, her finger tips and not just slam down and throw her hands in the air.

I don't get why only Johnson gets the hero's welcome, doesn't Liukin rate just as much fanfare?.

http://sports.yahoo.com/olympics/beijing/gymnastics/news?slug=ap-gym-johnsonhomecoming&prov=ap&type=lgns

Answer 1

I have no love for her.  After watching her interview on Jay Leno last night, she is a poor athlete who only knows how to complain and cannot recognize other people's accomplishments.  contrary to Shawn's interview on Letterman.

She has no class.

Answer 2

Maybe it is because Shawn is America's favorite girl next door, born and raised in the 'good ol' US of A' and Nastia on the other hand is born in Russia. Perhaps Americans would rather to see Americans getting the gold for America. Many may think that having a Russian born athlete appearing in America's cereal boxes is not a good idea.

Answer 3

Well, Nastia's not as good looking as Shawn.....More Cuteness usually translates into more attention, more fanfare & more $$$.

Answer 4

Anastasia is much loved in her home state of Texas, and especially in the DFW metroplex, there were thousands who greeted her at the airport, she's got a parade lined up, probably will be doing some Ellen, or Tyra, or Letterman as well, and endorsements are lining up I'm sure as well.  Keep in mind Carly Patterson was the AA in 2004 (from DFW also) and she got quite a few things going for her.  You're right about Liukin's style and grace too, she is a more artistic performer, very long limbs and flexible, graceful....whereas Shawn is what I would call a firecracker....short and very powerful.  

Answer 5

nastia already got the parade firetruck sprayed water on her plane when she returned

Answer 6

natstia is going to get her welcome with a parade it was already reported by yahoo days ago

Answer 7

Johnson's personality is much more outgoing than Liukin that's why.  People don't know much about the technicalities of gymnastics, so they have to like them for something else, something more obvious, their personality.