Attractive Olympian: Teenage Gymnast, Video Game Cover Model Nastia Liukin

Olympic athletes often don't get paid to do anything other than look good. In that vein, Attractive Olympians handicaps which athletes may rake in endorsement deals after the Olympics.

Nastia Liukin's accomplishments -- and the expectations they've created -- seem almost too much for someone who turned 18 just two months ago. Although she lost most of 2007 to an ankle injury, she has still managed to win nine World Championships medals, tied with Shannon Miller for the most in U.S. history.

Nastia Liukin Photos

BOSTON - JUNE 07: Shawn Johnson (L) and Nastia Liukin prepare for the uneven parallel bars during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin finishes her vault during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes on the uneven parallel bars during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes on the uneven parallel bars during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes on the uneven parallel bars during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes on the balance beam during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes on the balance beam during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: Nastia Liukin competes in the floor exercise during day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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BOSTON - JUNE 07: (L-R) Nastia Liukin poses with the silver medal, Shawn Johnson poses with the gold medal and Chellsie Memmel poses with the bronze medal after day 3 of the Visa Championships at Agganis Arena June 7, 2008 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

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Perhaps it's her pedigree. Both of her parents were world-class gymnasts who emigrated from Russia when she was a toddler. They opened a gymnastics training center in Texas, and Nastia began tumbling by age three. Now, finally age-eligible for the Olympics, will anchor a U.S. team that is expected to challenge the team of her parents' homeland and the other front-runners.

Of course, successful athletes who also happen to be attractive young blonde women are afforded additional opportunities in America, and Nastia enjoys sponsorship from AT&T, adidas, and others. You may also have seen her cameo in 2006's box-office non-smash Stick It, and she also graces the cover of the Beijing 2008 video game for Xbox (see it here). Let's hope there's no Madden-like curse for Olympians.

Breaking Down the Basics

Full name	Anastasia Valeryevna Liukin
Age	18
Hair	Blonde
Eyes	Blue
Height	5'3"
Education	Student at SMU
MySpace page	Far less annoying than average teenager's
Favorite TV shows	Gossip Girl, The Hills (just as annoying as average teenager's)

Presentation of Medals

*When judging, assume that Gold suggests a future of GoDaddy.com-level of endorsements, and Bronze points toward appearances in local circulars.

Attractive Olympians

Maria Sharapova This will be the first Olympics for the Russian tennis star, who has won three Grand Slam titles.

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Laure Manaudou: The French swimmer and Gold medal winner in the 400m freestyle holds the world records for the 400m freestyle and 200m freestyle.

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Anna Bessonova Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast won bronze at the 2004 games and earned gold at the World Championships in '07.

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Demetrius Andrade The reigning world AIBA boxing champion at 152 pounds, Andrade was a Golden Glove winner in '06 and '07.

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Alicia Sacramone: A member of the United States gymnastics team since 2003, Sacramone has earned seven medals from three world championships.

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Ana Ivanovic: Serbian tennis player reached the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2007 and the 2008 Australian Open final.

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Jennie Finch: Pitched the USA to gold in 2004. She and her teammates have many fans, none more so than Terrell Owens of the Dallas Cowboys.

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Apolo Anton Ohno: U.S. short track speed skater won TV's Dancing With the Stars, and has earned five Olympic medals, including gold in the 500m at the 2006 games.

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Kris Freeman: Competed for the U.S. Ski Team in cross country at the 2002 and '06 games, finishing 14th in Salt Lake City.

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James Blake: No. 9 pro tennis player in the world says he plans to represent the U.S. at the Beijing games.

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