The mother of all gymnasts: Rio salutes incredible athlete who is competing in her SEVENTH Olympics... at the age of FORTY-ONE

On Sunday, Chusovitina qualified in the vault competition. She's pictured above performing on the balance beam on Sunday

An age-defying gymnast has made history at this year's Olympics by being the oldest woman to ever appear at the Games.

Oksana Chusovitina is competing at her seventh Olympics this year at the age of 41.

The feat is made all the more amazing by the fact that she has a 17-year-old son - the same age of many of the girls she competing against including Team GB star Elissa Downie.

But the incredible athlete has proven she isn't just there to make up the numbers, matching her younger counterparts all the way to qualify for the vault finals.

Oksana Chusovitina, 41, is the oldest gymnast competing at this year's Olympics. She represents the country of Uzbekistan. Pictured above at Sunday's qualifying competition

'When I compete ... if they gave a few more marks for age it would have been great!' quipped Chusovitina, whose gamble to keep competing paid off as she put younger challengers to shame on Sunday by qualifying for the eight-woman vault final.