Nastia Liukin, the individual all-around gold medalist at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and one of the most successful gymnasts in U.S. history, will serve as grand marshal of the 99th Indianapolis 500 on May 24.
As part of her duties, Liukin will walk the red carpet, take a parade lap around the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway oval and be announced to the crowd prior to the start of the race. She will also be a guest at the 500 Festival Parade and the Snake Pit Ball.
“We’re excited to have Nastia Liukin as part of the rich pre-race pageantry of the Indianapolis 500,” said J. Douglas Boles, Indianapolis Motor Speedway president. “Over the years we have welcomed many famous athletes from outside the motorsports world on Race Day and to have such a decorated Olympian visit is an honor.”
Indianapolis holds a significant place in Liukin’s career, as she won her first senior U.S. all-around title at the U.S. Championships in Indy in 2005. She will be returning to town in August as a television commentator for the P&G Gymnastics Championships, the sport’s national championships.
“I have very fond memories of competing and performing in Indianapolis, and I will actually be back again in August for the P&G Gymnastics Championships,” said Liukin, who retired from competitive gymnastics in 2012. “I’m really honored to be the grand marshal for this year’s Indianapolis 500. It will be so exciting to witness ‘The Greatest Spectacle in Racing.’ ”
