Born in Barashevo, Russia on May 28, 1976, gymnast Alexei Nemov began gymnastics when his mother brought him to a gym sponsored by an auto manufacturer in Togliatti (the Russian version of Detroit). He narrowly missed winning the all-around gold medal in the 1996 Olympic Games, but still took home two golds, a silver, and three bronze medals. In January 1997, YM Magazine named him one of the "50 Most Beautiful Guys in the World," to the consternation of his then-girlfriend, rhythmic gymnast Yelena Vitrichenko. Nemov enjoys music, cars, and going to the disco. He is married now, and his son was born in September 2000.