Russian Gymnasts

Russian Gymnasts

Russian gymnasts are well known to be some of the best in the world. The Russian team has fielded some great gymnasts who are extremely competitive. They consider themselves the leaders in artistic gymnastics and have one of those who popularized the sport to back up their claims. Olga Korbut is considered by some to be the mother of modern gymnastics. Her routines when viewed today still seem fresh and she is still widely idolized by those who follow the sport. Another Russian who has set a new precedent within the sport is Svetlana Khorkina. Khorkina was discouraged from participating in gymnastics because of her height but has prospered to the point where she has eight moves named after her in the Artistic Gymnastics Code of Points.

Russian Gymnast Irina Tchachina

Irina Tchachina is a Russian rhythmic gymnast who started her interest in sports at the age of 6. Until 14 she took music, swimming and rhythmic gymnastics lessons. She eventually decided to specialize in gymnastics. She won for the first time at the age of 8 and became a part of the Russian team at age 12. In 1999 she won the Wolrd Championships in Osaka, Japan and won the gold in the hoop and individual all-around at the 2001 Goodwill Games. The victory was bittersweet as her and teammate Alina Kabaeva had their medals stripped because of testing positive for a banned diuretic. She then won the silver medal in the all-around at Athens in 2004. Tchachina retired from rhythmic gymnastics in 2006.

Famous Russian Gymnast

Olga Korbut and Svetlana Khorkina are both very well known in the gymnastics world. They both helped to pioneer artistic gymnastics in their own time. Korbut’s routines were so original and daring that many recognize her as the mother of gymnastics. Khorkina has paved the way for taller women to compete regularly in gymnastics. At 5’4” Khorkina is one of the tallest gymnasts and has had much success in competition. Irina Tchachina and Alina Kabaeva are another pair, although both modern competitors, who worked to innovate and continue the tradition of Russian gymnastics. Though their fields are different, artistic and rhythmic, these four women have done a lot to invent and hold up Russian tradition. Although Tchachina and Kabaeva both have a mark against them for using a banned substance they will still be remembered as great performers. The Russian team is proud and its goal is to continue to produce high-class athletes. They consider themselves originators within the art of gymnastics, they have set the model for all others in the sport.