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When American gymnastics superstar Simone Biles was born in 1997, Oksana Chusovitina had already won five world medals and an Olympic gold.When Biles teammate Laurie Hernandez was born in 2000, Chusovitina was already the mother of a young son.When Gabby Douglas made her Olympic debut in 2012, Chusovitina was competing in her sixth Games.A list like this could go on all day, because there might be no other athlete in history who has defied the odds, and Father Time, like the 41-year-old Chusovitina. She is in Rio for her unprecedented seventh Olympics.Aly Raisman, the U.S. teams captain, is 22 years old, and shes returning for her second Olympic Games. Her teammates refer to her as Grandma Aly because of her age and habits. And while she may be considered old in the sport, she has quite a ways to go if she wants to match Chusovitina as the oldest woman to ever compete at the Olympics in gymnastics.Chusovitina was born in 1975 in what is now Uzbekistan, and she learned gymnastics through training in the rigid Soviet Union system. She won the all-around at her first major competition -- the USSRs junior national championships -- as a 13-year-old in 1988. In 1991, at her first world championships, she earned three medals, including the gold on floor. To win that title, she mounted with a full-twisting double layout -- a move so difficult that it was named after her. Its still considered so hard that Biles, the favorite to win the 2016 Olympic title on floor, will use the same skill in her first tumbling pass -- 25 years later.Ironically, though, Chusovitina thought her career might be over in 1991 after the fall of the Soviet Union. Uzbekistan was suddenly an independent country -- without the resources needed for developing elite gymnasts. A Unified Team was created for athletes from the former Soviet nations for the 1992 Barcelona Games, and Chusovitina made her first Olympic team in 1992.Standing at the opening ceremony with her teammates remains her favorite Olympic moment to this day. It was just so amazing to see with your own eyes, she recalled, speaking through her translator, Svetlana Boguinskaia, who is a longtime friend, a teammate from the 1992 team and now an assistant coach for Chusovitina.When I saw the person with the arrow shoot the arrow into the Olympic rings and they went on fire as the ceremony started, I couldnt believe it. Its still my best memory, Chusovitina added.Despite the political turmoil and uncertainty at home, the Unified Team won the gold medal. And it was the beginning of one of the most storied Olympic careers of all time -- one spanning 24 years (and counting) and three countries.Its a career even her peers cant comprehend. I cant even fathom how its possible, and Im 24, said retired gymnast Shawn Johnson, who won gold in the 2008 Olympic balance beam.I would compare her career overall to how amazingly good Simone [Biles] is. Just like how people are assuming at this point Simone will win all-around gold in Rio, its assumed every year Oksana will be there. And its assumed every year shes going to medal.No one even knows how old she is anymore because it seems like shes been to the last gazillion Olympics. Shes incredible. She is a legend.After her successful first Olympics, Chusovitina returned to Uzbekistan and began training and competing for the new nation. She competed at the 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics for her native land, and won five world medals on vault during that time -- including the gold medal on vault at the 2003 world championships. She became a beloved figure in her home country, earning the title of Honored Athlete of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and she was even commemorated on a postal stamp in 2001.Chusovitina married fellow countryman and Olympic wrestler Bakhodir Kurbanov in 1997, and the two welcomed their first and only child, a son named Alisher, in November of 1999 -- less than a year before the Sydney Games. While Chusovitina managed to balance motherhood with training and competing, Alisher was diagnosed with leukemia in 2002. The distraught family moved to Cologne, Germany, for his treatment.While there, Chusovitina began training with the German national team and ultimately applied for citizenship. In 2006, as her son continued his battle against cancer, she began officially competing for her adopted country. During the Beijing Olympic Games in 2008, the then-33-year-old won her first individual Olympic medal -- a silver on the vault.But despite the exciting accomplishment, Chusovitinas best and most proud moment came when she returned home. Shortly after the Games, the doctor called and told her Alisher was finally leukemia free. It was the greatest news of all, she said.Medals, no medals, it really doesnt matter when you hear this news. [No] medal could compare to this type of phone call. When your son is healthy, you cant compare any athletic achievements with that.Chusovitina contemplated retiring soon after, but ultimately couldnt stay away from the sport. With the passion and drive still very much alive, she continued to train and compete with her German teammates. It was clearly the right move -- she nabbed silver medals on vault at the 2011 and 2012 European Championships and at the 2011 world championships, setting the record for the most world medals (nine) earned in any individual event.While the age gap between her and the competition continued to grow, Chusovitina remained a rare constant in a sport catered to young women and teenagers. During the 2012 Olympics in London -- her sixth for those struggling to keep count -- Chusovitina announced it would be her last, and she was retiring immediately following the competition. But the decision didnt stick for long, thanks in part to a disappointing fifth-place finish on vault. At night, I told everyone I retired, and the next morning I woke up and changed my mind, she said.Thats literally what happened. I said I retired, and the next day I woke up, and I was lying down in my bed and thinking I didnt accomplish everything I wanted to accomplish and I still feel I can do a little bit more. And thats why I started training for my next Olympics because I still feel I can do more.Now once again representing Uzbekistan, Chusovitina has spent the past four years preparing for Rio. Due to her age and injury concerns, she isnt in the gym as much as most of her competitors these days. At this time, I dont need much physical training, she said.I do a lot of mental training. I have muscle memory that my body has developed over the years. I typically put in two to two-and-a-half hours in the gym.And then I visualize exactly how the skill needs to be done. I do this in my head, and when I get to the gym, all the mental preparation that I did after breakfast or just walking around, it just transfers to the gym and, if Im vaulting, I know exactly what my body needs to be doing. I know exactly what I need to be doing to get a better execution or a better height or a better landing.She is able to spend the rest of her time at home with her husband and now-16-year-old son. The balance between gymnastics and her personal life is a healthy one, and that keeps her engaged and motivated in every aspect of her life. While maintaining the physical strength and ability for the sport is hard enough, its keeping the passion alive for so many years that is the hardest, says Boguinskaia, who retired after her third Olympic appearance in 1996 -- a notably long career as well.My body, my mind, were ready after three Olympics to be done. I did everything I had, Boguinskaia said. And thats what I think is holding Oksana back -- she definitely thinks she can do more, that she can be better.And you know what? She probably can. Her first Olympic medal was a gold at the 1992 Olympics, and her second Olympic medal was at her fifth Olympics. It means she doesnt get worse, she gets better with age. And thats why shes still there competing.Joined by Boguinskaia, Chusovitina spent her final weeks preparing for the Games at the International Gymnastics Camp in Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania. While she hopes to make the medal podium in Brazil, during the week before leaving for the Games, her immediate goals were slightly more modest. I just want to get there! she exclaimed.At my age -- as you know, Im not a spring chicken anymore -- two weeks is a long time. Anything can happen. So my goal right now is just to actually get to Rio, and make sure I am in shape and make sure theres no injuries and then we will see. Described as a practical joker with an incredible sense of humor, Chusovitina is adored by teammates and opponents alike. Despite the rigid nature of the sport, she is always joking around and playing pranks on everyone around her, Boguinskaia said. People who havent met her before are always surprised at how funny she is. Were sharing a room right now, and if I go to turn a light off a little bit before her, she always goes, Oh yes, yes, yes, the old grandma has to go to bed. Shes 41, and Im 43, and she is always reminding me of the two-year age difference.Despite the jokes, Chusovitina credits Boguinskaia for keeping her sane during the Olympic lead-up, and appreciates having someone her own age (or two years older) to talk to. The conversations revolve around their children, politics and fashion -- anything but gymnastics itself. Its a far cry from many of her younger peers who live, sleep and breathe the sport.As one of just a few women in the world to ever compete the famed, and controversial, Produnova vault, Chusovitina is expected to attempt the skill in Rio and has been practicing it regularly. Nicknamed the Vault of Death, its known for its high degree of difficulty and subsequent high degree of danger if not done correctly. It requires the gymnast to perform a front handspring and then two front flips off the table. When not executed perfectly, a gymnast can land on her back, or worse.But if she can land on her feet, the vault comes with a 7.0 difficulty score -- compared to the current 6.3 value of the Amanar vault used by gymnasts like Biles and McKayla Maroney in 2012 -- and it can instantly put one in medal contention.When asked recently by The New Yorker if she would ever attempt the vault, Biles responded flatly, Im not trying to die.Despite Chusovitinas boldness on her favorite apparatus, it seems she is not quite as decisive on her future. In typical Chusovitina fashion, she is uncertain if this will be her final Olympics (Im not going to say yes, Im not going to say no). But no matter what happens, she knows she has given the sport everything she has. I think I really dont have to leave anything behind, she said, reflecting on her career.I feel like every year that Im competing, Im leaving a little part of myself behind. People will already remember me, and theyll remember me for a long time because of my longevity. I think the longevity is the best thing I can leave behind.I already have my world medals, my Olympic medals and I really dont need to leave anything else except for my love for the sport.Its hard to think anyone will ever forget her. Then again, if she keeps competing, it will be impossible to. Cheap Shoes Online Free Delivery . Cuban testified Thursday that he was upset when the companys CEO told him news that would reduce the value of his shares, for which hed paid $7.5 million. But he said he did nothing improper when he sold those shares over the next two days. Air Max 270 Store . It was Kerbers third final of the year after losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia in Monterrey in April and to Petra Kvitova of Czech Republic in Tokyo two weeks ago. The 10th-ranked German improved her record in finals to 3-5. http://www.cheapshoesstorewholesale.com/air-max-plus-online-outlet.html . The Olympic champion curler and TSN curling analyst immediately went online to look at the Halls long list of honoured members. Thats when the enormity of the honour sunk in. Air Force 1 Clearance Sale . Now that hes hitting streaking teammates with pin-point passes for easy layups, Love is asserting himself as one of the true superstars in the league. Yeezy 700 Outlet . LOUIS -- Rookie Tavon Austin has missed another day of practice, lessening the odds hell be ready for the St. Even though everyone is a weekend removed from a four-day respite, eight teams are off on Monday. However, the reduced quantity does not result in poor quality as several aces return to action as their clubs used the short week to give them an extra day to recharge.If the weekend is any indication, the pitchers are a little ahead of the hitters, as scoring was way down compared to going into the break. It shouldnt be long before the hitters get their timing back and home runs return to leaving the yard at a record pace.This week also marks the homestretch for those making a playoff push in seasonal head-to-head leagues. No matter what game you play, everything you need to start the week in the right direction is here in Mondays daily notes.PitchingEliteWhile nothing has been announced officially, most expect Jose Fernandez to be capped around 180 innings, leaving him about 73 to go. That equates to 11, maybe 12, more starts. There are 11 weeks left in the campaign, so by delaying the rightys post-break debut through the weekend, the Miami Marlins will only need to skip their prized, soon-to-be 24-year-olds turn once or twice more. Fernandez opens his second half in Citizens Bank Park against a middling Philadelphia Phillies squad. Hell cost, but as usual, Fernandez is worth the hefty DFS price tag.With 125 frames and an All-Star start already on his 2016 ledger, the Chicago White Sox opted to give Chris Sale an extra day, as he was originally scheduled for Sunday. Now he draws a date in the Pacific Northwest against the Seattle Mariners. Sales strikeout rate is markedly down, and its decline is supported by a lower swinging strike rate along with fewer first-pitch strikes. Its premature to confidently declare this is a new baseline for the ace, though the safe approach is to temper expectation in terms of strikeouts going forward. Theres nothing wrong with a rate right around a batter per inning, but its just not the double-digit level everyone anticipated. As for this matchup, its better to pay up for Fernandez in DFS cash play and look for cheaper options for tournament action.While most hurlers would give their non-throwing arm for a 3.61 ERA, Corey Kluber and his fantasy owners deserve to be a little disappointed, as hes pitched to a slightly better ERA. The Cleveland Indians right-hander opens the unofficial second half in Kauffman Stadium against a Kansas City Royals club that is battling through injuries. There isnt much strikeout upside past Klubers usual hitter per inning, but the matchup is safe enough to deploy the All-Star in cash games.SolidAfter averaging 207 regular-season innings for the past eight years and pacing for another 200-frame campaign, no one may have benefited from a week off more than Jon Lester. The veteran lefty entered the break on a tailspin but is in a great spot to get things going again as he faces a New York Mets club that whiffs at a 24 percent clip against southpaws. This avails Lester the strikeout upside intrinsic to GPP action.StreamersMike Leake kicks off the potential spot starters as hes owned in just 41 percent of ESPN leagues. Not only is the St. Louis Cardinals righty in play as a seasonal league streamer, but with an affair in pitcher-friendly Busch Stadium against the strikeout prone San Diego Padres, Leake is a lower-end GPP candidate, too.Since I prefer to take chances early in the head-to-head scoring week, its worth incurring the risk and letting Nick Tropeano loose for a home date with the Texas Rangers. Angels Stadium is a pitchers park, which helps buffer the risk.Lets ignore the name for a moment. You have a chance to use a guy sporting 9.9 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and .94 HR/9 -- all much better than league average -- at home against the Marlins. Its a no-brainer, right? What if the pitcher in question is Aaron Nola? Not so easy anymore?Nolas June swoon and subsequent extra time off around the break is well documented, so no need to reiterate. The concern from a numbers perspective is his swinging sttrike rate plummeted as the first half progressed.dddddddddddd Again, with an aggressive philosophy, I want Nola active when, not if, he gets back on track. I like his chances Monday night.There arent many spots where streaming Brandon Finnegan is a viable option. A home affair with the punchless Atlanta Braves qualifies.Since neither are going to make the avoid section, lets tackle the Coors Field dilemma as Drew Smyly and the Tampa Bay Rays head to the mountains for an interleague tussle against Tyler Anderson and the Colorado Rockies. Theres no more challenging rest-of-season projection than Smyly. The number crunchers still love him, contending all he needs to do is get the homers under control. The watch-the-game crowd asks, Have you seen him pitch? As a card-carrying member of both factions, Im still on the Smyly bandwagon but have a hard time trusting him a mile high.That said, theres serious strikeout potential, so if you need a boost in that category and can absorb a hit to ratios, the lefty is in play. The confidence level is a little higher for Anderson, one of the first halfs pleasant surprises. The Rays are one of the best teams in the league against southpaws but also whiff a ton in that scenario. Anderson is like Smyly, viable for punchouts with risk to ratios. Forced to pick one, the nod goes to Anderson.AvoidDespite falling short of the projected game score threshold of 45 to be an automatic avoid, Edinson Volquez, Matt Wisler, Ricky Nolasco and Christian Friedrich are all too risky for my tastes. If youre curious why, or have any other questions pertaining to Mondays slate, please post the query in the comments section or fire a tweet to @ToddZola, and Ill do my best to reply.Hitting The Baltimore Orioles get top billing as they square off with the only hurler falling in the auto-avoid range, Ivan Nova. The New York Yankees incendiary righty is equally charitable to all hitters, so platoon edge isnt as important. Using Yankee Stadiums inviting right-field porch as a tiebreaker, well favor lefty swingers like Chris Davis and Pedro Alvarez, but dont eschew Adam Jones, Manny Machado, Jonathan Schoop and especially Mark Trumbo.Until Wisler figures out how to keep left-handed batters in check, hes going to be vulnerable to rough outings. In homer-friendly Great American Ballpark, Joey Votto and Jay Bruce make for a great mini-stack.The Cardinals used to be a great stacking option with a righty on the hill, but with the emergence of Stephen Piscotty, Aledmys Diaz, Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham, along with veterans Matt Holliday, Jhonny Peralta and Yadier Molina, they can give southpaws like the San Diego Padres Friedrich fits.Nolasco doesnt beat himself. He pitches around the plate, forcing teams to put the ball in play to beat him. This can be a successful recipe at times, but a matchup at Comerica Park against the Detroit Tigers isnt one of them. For his career, the Minnesota Twins righty has exhibited reverse splits, which feeds right into the heart of the Tigers lineup. Starting with Ian Kinsler and Cameron Maybin, passing through Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos and ending with Justin Upton, Nolasco could be in for a long evening. And that doesnt even include switch-hitting Victor Martinez, whos also in play.The contrarian stack consists of the Indians visiting Kauffman Stadium, where Volquez will take the ball for the Royals. Switch-hitters Carlos Santana and Francisco Lindor sandwich lefty Jason Kipnis at the top of the Tribes order. Further down resides Lonnie Chisenhall as a cheaper addition to the stack.Most likely to hit a homer: Despite the overall boost in long balls, Chris Davis is lagging behind last years pace. Look for Crush to pick up said pace against Nova and his 1.7 HR/9.Most likely to steal a base: Jose Reyes is in a great spot to jump-start his running game with Lester on the hill. ' ' '