 Soviet gymnast,
the first female athlete to win nine gold medals at the Olympic Games.
Her success helped popularize gymnastics throughout the world.
Born in Kherson, in the Soviet Socialist Republic of Ukraine (present-day
Ukraine), Latynina was educated at Kiev State Institute. She trained as
a ballet dancer from an early age and was national schools gymnastic champion
at the age of 16. During her career Latynina won 18 medals (nine gold,
five silver, and four bronze) at the Olympics, a record for any sport.
At the 1956, 1960, and 1964 Olympics she won the floor-exercise events
and was a member of the victorious Soviet teams. She also won the all-around
competition in 1956 and 1960 and the vault event in 1956. At the 1957
European championships she won all five individual events (floor exercise,
uneven bars, balance beam, vault, and all-around), and she repeated the
feat at the 1958 world championships. In world championships during her
career her tally of medals was eight gold, four silver, and one bronze.
After retirement Latynina became a coach for the Soviet teams and helped
plan the 1980 Moscow Summer Olympics. |