Liukin returns to beam

Nastia Liukin is excited about competing for the first time since the Beijing Olympics.

A little nervous, too.

The Olympic champion will do one event, the balance beam, tonight at the CoverGirl Classic in Des Moines, Iowa. The national championships are in her hometown of Dallas in three weeks, and she wanted to do one meet before to get back in the routine of competition.

“It’s mostly for my mind,” she said Friday night after her training session. “Just be out there to be under the pressure of the judges and the crowd and TV. I’m really excited about it, and obviously I’m going to be a little nervous. But it’s exciting to be here and be in this atmosphere again.

“This is what I love to do, so I’m excited to get back out here.”

Liukin will join Universal Sports’ broadcast team after her one event. She’ll also help her father and coach, Valeri, with the seven other WOGA gymnasts competing at the Classic, the last qualifier for nationals.

Fellow Olympian Samantha Peszek is also making her return to competition today. Peszek will do vault and balance beam.

Since winning gold in Beijing, Liukin’s life has been a whirlwind. She’s crisscrossed the country for appearances, photo shoots and commercial opportunities. She had a front-row seat at Fashion Week, visited with Oprah and last week won female athlete of the year at the ESPYs.

All of those experiences have been incredible, but they took a toll on her training.

“I just wasn’t able to get consistently in the gym,” Liukin said. “I’d be at the gym a few days and then leave for a few days, and it was like starting over.”