Rio 2016: Olympic hero Oksana Chusovitina becomes the oldest ever Games competitor at 41

Uzbekistan gymnast teaches her young rivals a lesson by progressing to the vault finals in her SEVENTH Olympics

Toby Gannon

Published: 8:40, 9 Aug 2016

Oksana Chusovitina blows kisses to her adoring fans who have followed her through seven Olympic Games

AN OLYMPIC champion has made history in Rio by becoming the oldest woman to ever appear at the Games.

Uzbekistan gymnast Oksana Chusovitina is competing in her SEVENTH Olympics this year - another record - at the age of 41.

Oksana Chusovitina is the oldest woman to ever compete at the Olympics at the age of 42 — Oksana Chusovitina is the oldest woman to ever compete at the Olympics at 41Credit: AP:Associated Press

The Uzbekistan gymnast has become a fan favourite for her many years at the topCredit: Reuters

Oksana Chusovitina is competing at her SEVENTH Olympic Games in RioCredit: Reuters

Many of Oksana Chusovitina's Rio rivals were not born when she competed at Barcelona 1992 — Many of Oksana Chusovitina's Rio rivals were not born when appeared at Barca 92Credit: Reuters

And the seasoned athlete has proved that age is just a number by qualifying for the vault finals.

Chusovitina, who competes against gymnasts the age of her 17-year-old son, including Team GB's Elissa Downie, said: "When I compete . . . if they gave me a few more marks for age it would have been great!"

She first appeared at the Barcelona Games in 1992 as a member of the successful Unified Team - a time when many of her current competitors were not even born.

Age has not slowed down Oksana Chusovitina as she qualified for the vault finalsCredit: EPA

Oksana Chusovitina nails a layout front somersault with one and a half twistsCredit: Reuters

Oksana Chusovitina discusses with members of her team after her routine on the balance beam — Oksana Chusovitina talks with her team after her routine on the balance beamCredit: AP:Associated Press

Oksana Chusovitina is still as graceful as ever at the ripe age of 42 — Oksana Chusovitina is still as graceful as ever at the ripe age of 41Credit: AP:Associated Press

And she won her first Olympic gold nearly five years before Team USA star Simone Biles was born.

Chusovitina has become a fan favourite for her many years at the top of gymnastics and sprinted down the runway in Rio for her first vault - a layout front somersault with one and a half twists - to rapturous applause.