Olympian mentors local gymnasts, helps fundraise for non-profit

FRUITLAND, Md. – An Olympic gold medalist stopped by a gym in Fruitland this weekend to help mentor young gymnasts and raise money for a good cause.

Nastia Liukin was at Beach Bounders Sunday afternoon. She is the 2008 Olympic all around champion and a five-time Olympic medalist. Young gymnasts were able to meet the Olympian and even get some pointers from her.

Liukin says she was happy to help out a good cause and serve as a role model for these young athletes. “I mean anytime I can come back into a gym it always feels like home. So for me I love being able to come to really any gym but especially here today with all these young girls and just trying to hopefully share something that I learned from my journey throughout the way and hopefully I feel like if I could have motivated or inspired at least one girl here today then I feel very fulfilled.”

The event was held as a fundraiser for the Alana Rose Foundation, a non-profit that helps families financially who are experiencing a terminal or life-threatening illness.