Lyudmila Turishcheva

Lyudmila Ivanovna Turishcheva (born July 10, 1952 in Grozny) is a Ukrainian, former Soviet, gymnast, four times Olympic Champion.

Related Topics:
July 10 - 1952 - Grozny - Ukrainian - Soviet - Gymnast

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Just after she turned 16, Turishcheva competed at the 1968 Summer Olympics, three years after she had started with gymnastics. She finished 24th in the all-around competition, but won the team gold medal with the USSR team.

Related Topics:
1968 Summer Olympics - USSR team

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1970, she won the individual all-around world title, and the European title the following year, making her a favourite for the Olympic title in Munich in 1972.

Related Topics:
1970 - Europe - Munich - 1972

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

There she was faced with the sudden popularity of her telegenic compatriot Olga Korbut. After Korbut fell from the uneven bars, Turishcheva easily won both the individual and team all-around titles. She was less successful in the apparatus events, qualifying for all four, but winning only a silver and a bronze.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After struggling with a back injury, Turishcheva won another all-around World Championship in 1975. At her third Olympics, she finished third in the all-around, second in the vault and floor exercise, and won the team all-around event for the third consecutive time, bringing her total Olympic medal count to four gold, three silver and two bronze.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 1977, she married sprinter Valeri Borzov, a two-time Olympic champion in 1972. Turishcheva is currently still involved in gymnastics, working for the Ukrainian federation, known as Dynamo. She coaches junior gymnasts and hosts junior-level competitions. She was awarded the Women In Sport trophy by the International Olympic Committee http://www.worldwidegymn.com/news/118/.

Related Topics:
1977 - Valeri Borzov - 1972 - Ukrainian - International Olympic Committee

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~