Olympic gymnastics champion elected athlete rep

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LONDON (AP) -- Olympic champion Nastia Liukin has a new title.

Liukin was elected to the International Gymnastics Federation's Athletes Commission on Sunday, representing women's artistic gymnastics. Jani Tanskanen of Finland, the 1997 world champion on high bar, was elected as the men's artistic athlete rep.

"To be on that board, it's an honor to be able to have a voice in the FIG," Liukin said.

The Athletes Commission has representatives from the FIG's six disciplines: men's and women's artistic gymnastics; rhythmic gymnastics; trampoline; aerobics; and acrobatics. As athlete reps, Liukin and Tanskanen will attend meetings of the technical committee, which sets rules and regulations for each discipline. Their terms run through 2012.

Liukin, who won four medals at the Beijing Olympics besides her all-around gold, is currently taking a break from competitive gymnastics. But she remains involved in the sport, and is eager to give athletes a voice as the sport evolves.

The code of points, for example, which determines what skills are worth and how routines are constructed, has changed since the Beijing Games.

"You think about those things as an athlete, but at the same time think, 'There's nothing I can do about it.' I want athletes to know there is something you can do. At least give that opinion to your athlete rep," Liukin said. "It really is important, and I hope it will give athletes a little more of a voice."

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