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Larisa Semyonovna Latynina ( Russian: Лариса Семёновна Латынина, née Diriy, Дирий; born 27 December 1934) is a former Soviet artistic gymnast. Between 1956 and 1964 she won 14 individual Olympic medals and four team medals. She holds the record for the most Olympic gold medals by a gymnast, male or female, with 9.
- Larisa Semyonovna Latynina
- 1966
- 161 cm (5 ft 3 in)
- 1953–1966 (URS)
Mar 21, 2024 · Larisa Latynina, Soviet gymnast who was the first woman athlete to win nine Olympic gold medals and was one of the most decorated competitors in the history of the Games. Her record of 18 career Olympic medals stood until 2012, when it was surpassed by American swimmer Michael Phelps.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Learn about Larisa LATYNINA, the legendary Soviet gymnast who won nine Olympic gold medals and set several records. Explore her biography, achievements, videos and latest news on the official Olympic website.
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- An Orphan Seeking Beauty
- Becomes A Gymnastics Superstar
- 1964 Olympics
- Awards and Accomplishments
- Further Information
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Born in Kherson, Ukraine in 1934, Latynina, who began her gymnastic career under her maiden name, Dirii, initially dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer, but her childhood was difficult. Deeply affected by years of poverty, World War II, and its aftermath, Latynina was also an orphan. She dreamed of making a better, more beautiful life, and as part o...
At the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, Latynina won gold medals in the all-around and on vault, and tied for gold on floor exercises. Her team won silver medals on bars and bronze medals in the team drill event. Their wins were part of a notable shift in the sport of gymnastics: "away from strength, power, and sustained movements," according...
At the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, Latynina won gold medals in floor exercises and team competition; silver medals in all-around and vault; and bronze medals in un-even bars and beam. In an article in the London Times, a reporter commented that because Latynina was twenty-nine at the time, her career might be winding to a close, and "we may never see h...
Knowing that she could not continue competing forever, Latynina began planning a career shift, from competing to coaching. By 1964, her first protégé, Tanya Palamarchuk, had already won a Master of Sports rating. In addition to coaching, Latynina often spoke, hoping to popularize the sport among young people. "It's the sport closest to the arts tha...
Books
Riordan, James. Soviet Sports Background to the Olympics. New York: New YorkUniversity Press, 1980. Schultz, Heinrich, and Stephen S. Taylor. Who's Who in the USSR 1961-62.Metuchen, NJ: Scarecrow Press, 1962.
Periodicals
"Mrs. Latynina Falls from Power." Times (London, England) (October 22, 1964): 4.
Other
"Larisa Latynina (USSR)." Gymn Forum, http://www.gymn-forum.com/bios/latynina_1.html(November 19, 2002). "Larisa Latynina," International Gymnastics Hall of Fame. http://www.ighof.com/honorees_latynina.html(November 19, 2002). "Larisa Latynina." International Gymnast. http://www.intlgymnast.com/legends/latynina.html(November 19, 2002). "Larisa Latynina: The First International Superstar." Women in Gymnastics. http://historypages.org/gymnastics/latynina.html(November 19, 2002). Maryamov, Alexa...
Larisa Latynina is the most decorated Olympian in any sport, with 18 medals in gymnastics. She competed in three Olympics and four world championships, and won every event on the program in two different Olympics.
For 48 years, LARISSA LATYNINA held the record for winning more Olympic medals than anyone in history, male or female, in any sport. Her record of eighteen Olympic medals stood from 1964 until the London 2012 Games. She earned six medals in each of three consecutive Olympics Games, beginning with Melbourne in 1956, continuing in Rome in 1960 ...
Aug 1, 2012 · LONDON — Larisa Latynina won 18 Olympic medals in gymnastics for the Soviet Union, but she attended swimming Tuesday night. Michael Phelps was racing. He was trying to beat everyone in the pool...
