He is now the president of the Bulgarian gymnastics federation, but on Saturday in London’s North Greenwich Arena (this is the Olympian name for the O2) he performed a fantastic run on the rings in front of an amazed crowd, and made it into the final with the eighth best score of 15.308, grabbing the last qualifying spot. With a partially torn bicep and an injured wrist, seeing his name as a finalist has even surprised himself.
In less than a week’s time, Bulgaria’s national hero will compete in the still rings final, for one last time in the Olympics, in an attempt to take home his fifth Olympic medal.