Born December 17, 1966, in Aktyubinsk, Kazakhstan, then part of the USSR, Valery Liukin thrilled the sporting world in 1987 as the first gymnast in history to compete a triple back somersault on floor exercise. The element, which helped Liukin win the 1987 European Championship, is still considered the most difficult skill ever performed by a gymnast. During his career, Liukin would go on to win a total of seven European Championship medals (5 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze).

At the 1988 Olympic Games, Liukin won gold medals with the team and on high bar. He also captured the all-around silver, a mere .1 shy of the gold medal. After winning the all-around bronze medal at the 1991 World Championships, Liukin moved with his wife, former rhythmic world champion Anna Kochneva, and daughter Nastia to the USA. Together with five-time world acrobatics champion Yevgeny Marchenko, the Liukins opened World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) in Plano, Texas. Liukin continues to have a major impact on gymnastics with his dual role as coach and father to daughter Nastia Liukin, the U.S. junior national champion in 2003 and 2004 and senior champion in 2005.