14 Facts About Alexander Artemev

Alexander Artemev, who goes by the Russian diminutive "Sasha", was born August 29,1985, in Minsk, Belarusian SSR, Soviet Union.

Alexander Artemev is the only child of Svetlana and Vladimir Artemev.

Alexander Artemev's parents are gymnastics coaches and former competitive gymnasts for the Soviet Union.

Alexander Artemev's mother competed in rhythmic gymnastics while his father competed in artistic gymnastics.

Alexander Artemev won three titles at the 2006 US National Championships in the all-around, pommel horse and parallel bars.

Alexander Artemev was the only American men's team member to win a medal at the 2006 World Championships, taking the bronze on the pommel horse.

Alexander Artemev became the first US gymnast since Kurt Thomas in 1979 to win a world championship medal on pommel horse.

At the 2008 US Nationals, Alexander Artemev won the pommel horse title for the second consecutive year.

Together with his teammates, Alexander Artemev won the bronze medal in men's team gymnastics in Beijing.

Alexander Artemev finished the all-around competition in 12th place behind fellow American Jonathan Horton, who placed ninth.

Alexander Artemev attempted a new routine that would raise his difficulty level.

Alexander Artemev returned to competition in February 2010, competing in four events in qualification at the US Winter Cup.

Alexander Artemev did not compete again for the rest of the Olympic cycle.

Alexander Artemev married University of Denver gymnast Brianna Springer in the summer of 2009, but the couple divorced in 2011.