Shawn Johnson Reveals Friendship Hiatus with Nastia Liukin

Shawn Johnson, the 32-year-old Olympic gold medalist, recently revealed she didn't speak to her best friend and former teammate Nastia Liukin for eight years after the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

What happened?

The two gymnasts were roommates at the 2008 Olympics and had figured out how to balance their friendship and competition on the floor. But the public's desire for them to be bitter rivals drove a wedge between them. Shawn Johnson won the gold medal for balance beam at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, while Nastia Liukin took home the gold for individual all-around.

Why it matters for Shawn Johnson

The pressure to be rivals took a toll on their friendship, and they eventually stopped speaking to each other. It wasn't until their significant others intervened that they reunited. Shawn Johnson and Nastia Liukin were both 16 and 18 years old at the time of the 2008 Olympics.

What comes next?

After rekindling their friendship, Shawn Johnson said it was like they hadn't skipped a beat. The two gymnasts have been close ever since, and Shawn Johnson has spoken highly of their reunion. Shawn Johnson retired from gymnastics in 2012 due to a knee injury, while Nastia Liukin retired the same year after failing to make the US Olympic team. Shawn Johnson has been open about her experiences as a gymnast and has spoken about the challenges she faced during her career. She has also been involved in various charitable initiatives and has worked to promote the sport of gymnastics. Shawn Johnson's reunion with Nastia Liukin is a testament to the strong bonds that can form between athletes. The two gymnasts have shown that even after years of not speaking, it's possible to rekindle a friendship. Shawn Johnson's story serves as an inspiration to many, and her experiences continue to be followed by fans around the world.