2008 U.S. Olympic gold medalist Nastia Liukin to join NBC Olympics in Sochi

Russian-born, 5-time medal-winning Olympic gymnast to serve as reporter for NBC Olympics

Former U.S. gymnast Nastia Liukin, a winner of five Olympic medals, including gold in the all-around at the 2008 Beijing Games, will join NBC Olympics for its Winter Games coverage in Sochi, Russia, it was announced today.

Liukin, a dual Russian-U.S. citizen who was born in Moscow, will serve as a reporter for NBC Olympics' multiplatform coverage and will present daily features for "The Olympic Zone," NBC Olympics' 30-minute daily show for NBC affiliates covering all aspects of the Olympic Games.

Liukin's father, Valeri, won four gymnastics medals (two gold, two silver) for the former Soviet Union at the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Her mother, Anna, was a rhythmic gymnast who won a world title in 1987.

Liukin joined NBCUniversal in 2012 as a contributor for NBCOlympics.com during the London Olympics, and has since served as an analyst for NBC Sports Group's gymnastics coverage.

"Nastia is a decorated Olympic champion who brings a unique perspective to Russia's first Winter Olympics, both as an athlete and a member of a family with a tremendous sports legacy dating back to the former Soviet Union," said Jim Bell, executive producer of NBC Olympics.

Liukin won the most medals of any gymnast at the 2008 Beijing Games (five - one gold, three silver, one bronze), and tied the U.S. gymnastics record set by Mary Lou Retton and equaled by Shannon Miller for the most medals at a single Olympics. In 2008, she became the third American woman to win the Olympic all-around competition (Mary Lou Retton, Carly Patterson).

Liukin, currently enrolled at New York University, continues to support the growth of gymnastics with her annual Nastia Liukin Cup, and is an ambassador for gymnastics as an athlete representative for both the Federation of International Gymnastics and USA Gymnastics.

The Olympics begin Feb. 6, 2014.