By Veronique Bury FIG Editor.

At 33, this Uzbekistani gymnast, German through naturalisation, is participating in her fourth Olympic Games here in Beijing, 16 years after having taken the Gold with the CIS team at the Games in Barcelona. The FIG bumped into her following her all-around Thursday.

These are your fourth Olympic Games. Are you satisfied with your all-around performance?
'Yes, I'm very pleased with how things went today. As with the team finals, I chose not to perform my greatest difficulties since I wasn't trying for the podium. I opted to give a beautiful, well-crafted performance for the public of these Olympic Games.'

You've been on the circuit for some time now. How do you feel about the new code of points that emerged after the Olympic Games of Athens?
'I like the new code of points. It suits me and my gymnastic style.'

You're 33 years old. Do you see yourself giving up the sport any time in the near future?
'I don't yet know what I'll be doing after these Olympic Games, and I don't know when I'll stop practising gymnastics. I love this sport, and I love doing it! I practise it for the sheer pleasure of doing gymnastics.'

How do you explain such a long career?
'No idea. I can't explain it. I have no explanation to offer you.'