Larisa Latynina – Soviet gymnast
Larisa Latynina (nee – Diriy) is a Soviet gymnast, nine-time Olympic champion (1956, 1960, 1964), Honored Master of Sports of the USSR (1956). You know, she is a repeated World and European champion (1957- 62), the USSR champion (1956-64) in the individual and team competitions. By the way, she is honored coach of the USSR (1972), honored worker of physical culture of the Russian Federation.
Until 2012 record of US swimmer Michael Phelps – 22 medals, Larisa had the largest collection of Olympic medals in the history of the sport – 9 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze medals. Also Latynina is known for the fact that at the European Championship in 1957 she won all the gold medals.
Larisa Semenovna was born on December 27, 1934 in Kherson, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union. The father Diriy Semyon Andreyevich (1906-1943) was killed in the Battle of Stalingrad. Her mother Barabanyuk Pelagia Anisimovna (1902-1975) was a cleaning woman. Since her childhood Larisa dreamed of ballet. She joined choreographic studio at the House of Folk Art. When the studio was closed Larisa became involved in gymnastics. In 1950 she became a member of the national team of Ukraine at the Championship in Kazan.
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