Analysis: Liukin's decision best for herself, team USA

September 2, 1:00 AMGymnastics ExaminerBlythe Lawrence

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Liukin at July's ESPY awards. AP Photo/Philip Scott Andrews

In opting out of competing at next month's World Gymnastics Championships in London, Olympic all-around champion Nastia Liukin did herself -- and team USA -- a big favor.

By withdrawing from the World team selection process, Liukin hopefully gets a much-needed vacation. Meanwhile, U.S. National Team Coordinator Martha Karolyi gets to pick a more prepared gymnast to travel to London in Liukin's stead.

Whether Liukin would have been chosen as a member of the four-woman U.S. squad for the World Championships is irrelevant now. But by withdrawing gracefully, she saves Karolyi from having to make a bad choice -- whether to include the 2008 Olympic gold medalist because of who she can be or leave her off the team in spite of who she is.

In trying to come back for a second Olympics after winning Olympic all-around gold, Liukin is fighting against history. Post Nadia, although Olympic champions have competed after winning the Games (Mary Lou Retton, for example, won the 1985 American Cup) declared intentions to return to the international stage (1996 Olympic gold medalist Lilia Podkopayeva competed at the 1997 European Masters and would have been at the 1997 World Championships had it not been for an injury) and even done so successfully (think Andreea Raducan in 2001 and 2002), nobody has actually made it to a second Games.

Liukin seems determined, though.

"My heart & soul is still out there on the floor.... Forever & always. I'll be back," she tweeted Monday.