Irina Rodnina
Encyclopedia
Irina Konstantinovna Rodnina ' onMouseout='HidePop("89399")' href="/topics/Moscow">Moscow
, Russian SFSR) is one of the most successful figure skaters
ever and the only pair skater
to win 10 successive World Championships
(1969–78) and three successive Olympic gold medals (1972, 1976, 1980). She initially competed with Alexei Ulanov
and later teamed up with Alexander Zaitsev. She is the first pair skater to win the Olympic title with two different partners, followed only by Artur Dmitriev
.
eleven times, and in 1954 her parents brought her to her first skating rink
, in the Pryamikov Children Park in Moscow. Since the sixth form of the secondary school, age 13, she trained at Children and Youth Sports School
of CSKA
on Leningradsky Prospekt.
Throughout her career she competed internationally for the Soviet Union
. At the national level she represented the Armed Forces sports society
.
Rodnina graduated from the Central Institute of Physical Culture. She won ten World Championships and three consecutive Olympic
gold medals in pairs competition between 1971 and 1980 with her partners Alexei Ulanov
and Alexander Zaitsev
. She also won 11 European
pairs championships, making her the most successful pair skater in history.
Rodnina began her career with Alexei Ulanov
. They won four consecutive World and European titles. They won their first World title in 1969
, ahead of Tamara Moskvina
and Alexei Mishin
. They won their next two World titles, 1970
and 1971
, ahead of silver medalists Lyudmila Smirnova
and Andrei Suraikin
. However, Ulanov fell in love with Smirnova, and prior to the 1972 Olympics, the couple made the decision to skate together the following season. Rodnina and Ulanov went on to compete at the 1972 Olympics
where they captured the gold. They then prepared for their last competition together, the 1972 World Championships
. While practicing together a day before the start of the competition, the pair had an accident on a lift and Rodnina ended up in hospital with a concussion and an intracranial hematoma
. Despite the accident, they had a strong showing in the short program, receiving some 6.0s. In the long program, Rodnina became faint and dizzy but it was enough for their fourth World title. Ulanov continued his career with Smirnova, while Rodnina considered retirement.
In April 1972, her coach Stanislav Zhuk
suggested she team up with the young Leningrad skater Alexander Zaitsev, who had good jumping technique and quickly learned the elements. Their music stopped during their short program at the 1973 World Championships
, possibly due to a Czech worker acting in retaliation for the suppression of the Prague Spring
. Known for intense concentration, they finished the program in silence, earning a standing ovation and a gold medal upon completion, ahead of Ulanov and Smirnova, who they again defeated in 1974
.
In 1974, Rodnina and Zaitsev left Zhuk, with whom the working relationship had become strained, to train with Tatiana Tarasova
. They won six consecutive World titles together, as well as seven European gold medals, and won their first Olympic title together in 1976
. Rodnina and Zaitsev did not compete during the 1978–79 season because she was pregnant with their son who was born on February 23, 1979. They returned in 1980 to capture their second Olympic title
together and Rodnina's third. They then retired from competitive skating.
Rodnina was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour
(in 1972) and the Order of Lenin
(in 1976).
Rodnina coached numerous elite Soviet skaters and taught at the University of Moscow. From 1990–2002, she coached in the United States and led the Czech team of Radka Kovaříková
and René Novotný
to a world title. She later moved back to Russia. Since 2005, Rodnina is a member of the Public Chamber of Russia
.
, born in 1986. She is currently divorced.
. She also received the International Skating Union's highest honor, the Jacques Favart Award.
with Alexander Zaitsev
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, Russian SFSR) is one of the most successful figure skaters
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
ever and the only pair skater
Pair skating
Pair skating is a figure skating discipline. International Skating Union regulations describe pair teams as consisting of "one lady and one man." The sport is distinguished from ice dancing and single skating by elements unique to pair skating, including overhead lifts, twist lifts, death spirals,...
to win 10 successive World Championships
World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
(1969–78) and three successive Olympic gold medals (1972, 1976, 1980). She initially competed with Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Nikolaevich Ulanov is a retired pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With Irina Rodnina, he is the 1972 Olympic champion and a four-time World champion. They were coached by Stanislav Zhuk and trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Moscow. He later competed with wife...
and later teamed up with Alexander Zaitsev. She is the first pair skater to win the Olympic title with two different partners, followed only by Artur Dmitriev
Artur Dmitriev
Artur Valeryevich Dmitriev is a Ukrainian-born Russian pair skater who competed internationally for the Soviet Union, the Unified Team, and Russia. He is a two-time Olympic Champion with Natalia Mishkutenok and Oksana Kazakova in 1992 and 1998 respectively, and also won Olympic silver in 1994...
.
Career
In pre-school years Irina Rodnina suffered from pneumoniaPneumonia
Pneumonia is an inflammatory condition of the lung—especially affecting the microscopic air sacs —associated with fever, chest symptoms, and a lack of air space on a chest X-ray. Pneumonia is typically caused by an infection but there are a number of other causes...
eleven times, and in 1954 her parents brought her to her first skating rink
Ice rink
An ice rink is a frozen body of water and/or hardened chemicals where people can skate or play winter sports. Besides recreational ice skating, some of its uses include ice hockey, figure skating and curling as well as exhibitions, contests and ice shows...
, in the Pryamikov Children Park in Moscow. Since the sixth form of the secondary school, age 13, she trained at Children and Youth Sports School
Children and Youth Sports School
Sports school is a type of educational institution for children that originated in the Soviet Union. Sports schools were the basis of the powerful system of physical culture and sports education of the USSR...
of CSKA
CSKA
CSKA refers to military sports teams in several east European countries:Bulgaria* CSKA Sofia ** PBC CSKA Sofia, a basketball club...
on Leningradsky Prospekt.
Throughout her career she competed internationally for the Soviet Union
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. At the national level she represented the Armed Forces sports society
Armed Forces (sports society)
Central Sports Klub of the Army or is the Russian sports society and the successor of the Soviet CSKA.-Overview:The society was one of the largest sports societies in the USSR. In the Soviet era all CSKA and SKA teams that resided in the Soviet Union belonged to the Armed Forces sports society...
.
Rodnina graduated from the Central Institute of Physical Culture. She won ten World Championships and three consecutive Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
gold medals in pairs competition between 1971 and 1980 with her partners Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Nikolaevich Ulanov is a retired pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With Irina Rodnina, he is the 1972 Olympic champion and a four-time World champion. They were coached by Stanislav Zhuk and trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Moscow. He later competed with wife...
and Alexander Zaitsev
Alexander Zaitsev (skater)
Alexander Gennadiyevich Zaitsev is a retired pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With partner Irina Rodnina, he is a two-time Olympic champion, six-time World champion and seven-time European champion. From 1973 to 1980 they won every event they entered. They were coached by Stanislav...
. She also won 11 European
European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
pairs championships, making her the most successful pair skater in history.
Rodnina began her career with Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Ulanov
Alexei Nikolaevich Ulanov is a retired pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With Irina Rodnina, he is the 1972 Olympic champion and a four-time World champion. They were coached by Stanislav Zhuk and trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Moscow. He later competed with wife...
. They won four consecutive World and European titles. They won their first World title in 1969
1969 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
, ahead of Tamara Moskvina
Tamara Moskvina
Tamara Nikolayevna Moskvina , née Bratus is a Russian pair skating coach and former competitive skater. In pair skating with partner Alexei Mishin, she was the 1969 World silver medalist and Soviet national champion. In ladies singles, she was a five-time Soviet national champion...
and Alexei Mishin
Alexei Mishin
Alexei Nikolaevich Mishin is a Russian figure skating coach and former pair skater. With partner Tamara Moskvina, he was the 1969 World silver medalist and USSR national champion....
. They won their next two World titles, 1970
1970 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
and 1971
1971 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
, ahead of silver medalists Lyudmila Smirnova
Lyudmila Smirnova
Lyudmila Stanislavovna Smirnova was a Russian figure skater. She won the silver medal in pair skating at the 1972 Winter Olympics with Andrei Suraikin. They were coached by Maya Belenkaya....
and Andrei Suraikin
Andrei Suraikin
Andrei Alexandrovich Suraikin was a Russian figure skater. They were coached by Maya Belenkaya....
. However, Ulanov fell in love with Smirnova, and prior to the 1972 Olympics, the couple made the decision to skate together the following season. Rodnina and Ulanov went on to compete at the 1972 Olympics
Figure skating at the 1972 Winter Olympics
Figure skating was contested at the 1972 Winter Olympic Games . The competition took place at the Makomanai Indoor Skating Rink.Results of both the men's and ladies' singles events were dominated by placements in the compulsory figures, which at this time were nominally worth 50% of the total...
where they captured the gold. They then prepared for their last competition together, the 1972 World Championships
1972 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
. While practicing together a day before the start of the competition, the pair had an accident on a lift and Rodnina ended up in hospital with a concussion and an intracranial hematoma
Hematoma
A hematoma, or haematoma, is a localized collection of blood outside the blood vessels, usually in liquid form within the tissue. This distinguishes it from an ecchymosis, which is the spread of blood under the skin in a thin layer, commonly called a bruise...
. Despite the accident, they had a strong showing in the short program, receiving some 6.0s. In the long program, Rodnina became faint and dizzy but it was enough for their fourth World title. Ulanov continued his career with Smirnova, while Rodnina considered retirement.
In April 1972, her coach Stanislav Zhuk
Stanislav Zhuk
Stanislav Alekseevich Zhuk was a pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With partner and wife Nina, he won three silver medals at the European Figure Skating Championships and finished sixth at the 1960 Winter Olympics.He later went on to a long career as a coach...
suggested she team up with the young Leningrad skater Alexander Zaitsev, who had good jumping technique and quickly learned the elements. Their music stopped during their short program at the 1973 World Championships
1973 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
, possibly due to a Czech worker acting in retaliation for the suppression of the Prague Spring
Prague Spring
The Prague Spring was a period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia during the era of its domination by the Soviet Union after World War II...
. Known for intense concentration, they finished the program in silence, earning a standing ovation and a gold medal upon completion, ahead of Ulanov and Smirnova, who they again defeated in 1974
1974 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion....
.
In 1974, Rodnina and Zaitsev left Zhuk, with whom the working relationship had become strained, to train with Tatiana Tarasova
Tatiana Tarasova
Tatiana Anatolyevna Tarasova is a Russian figure skating coach and national figure skating team adviser. Tarasova has been coach to more world and Olympic champions than any other coach in skating history. As of 2003, her students have won a total of 41 gold medals at the European and World...
. They won six consecutive World titles together, as well as seven European gold medals, and won their first Olympic title together in 1976
Figure skating at the 1976 Winter Olympics
The 1976 Winter Olympic Games figure skating results. Ice dancing was introduced as an Olympic event in these Olympics.-Medal table:-Men:Referee:* Sonia BianchettiAssistant Referee:* Emil Skákala...
. Rodnina and Zaitsev did not compete during the 1978–79 season because she was pregnant with their son who was born on February 23, 1979. They returned in 1980 to capture their second Olympic title
Figure skating at the 1980 Winter Olympics
These are the 1980 Winter Olympic Games Figure skating results.-Medal table:-Men:Referee:* Sonia BianchettiAssistant Referee:* Elemér Terták...
together and Rodnina's third. They then retired from competitive skating.
Rodnina was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour
Order of the Red Banner of Labour
The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union for accomplishments in labour and civil service. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order.-History:The Red...
(in 1972) and the Order of Lenin
Order of Lenin
The Order of Lenin , named after the leader of the Russian October Revolution, was the highest decoration bestowed by the Soviet Union...
(in 1976).
Rodnina coached numerous elite Soviet skaters and taught at the University of Moscow. From 1990–2002, she coached in the United States and led the Czech team of Radka Kovaříková
Radka Kovaríková
Radka Kovaříková is a Czech pair skater. She skates with partner René Novotný. They are the 1995 World champions. They were coached by Irina Rodnina. After winning their World title, they married and turned pro...
and René Novotný
René Novotný
René Novotný is a Czech pair skater. He skates with partner Radka Kovaříková. They are the 1995 World champions. They were coached by Irina Rodnina. After winning their World title, they married and turned pro...
to a world title. She later moved back to Russia. Since 2005, Rodnina is a member of the Public Chamber of Russia
Public Chamber of Russia
The Public Chamber is a state institution with 126 members created in 2005 in Russia to analyze draft legislation and monitor the activities of the parliament, government and other government bodies of Russia and its Federal Subjects. It has a role similar to an oversight committee and has...
.
Personal life
Rodnina's first marriage was to her second partner, Alexander Zaitsev, with whom she has a son of the same name, born in 1979. From her second marriage, she has a daughter, Alyona MinkovskiAlyona Minkovski
Alyona Minkovski is a correspondent for the international news network RT . She is a United States citizen based in Washington, D.C., and currently hosts The Alyona Show on RT.-Biography:...
, born in 1986. She is currently divorced.
Halls of Fame and other awards
In 1988 she was inducted into the International Women's Sports Hall of Fame. In 1989 she was inducted into the World Figure Skating Hall of FameWorld Figure Skating Hall of Fame
The World Figure Skating Hall of Fame serves as a repository for the sport of figure skating. The World Figure Skating Hall of Fame is where the greatest names in the history of the sport are honored...
. She also received the International Skating Union's highest honor, the Jacques Favart Award.
Results
Pairs with Alexei UlanovAlexei Ulanov
Alexei Nikolaevich Ulanov is a retired pair skater who represented the Soviet Union. With Irina Rodnina, he is the 1972 Olympic champion and a four-time World champion. They were coached by Stanislav Zhuk and trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Moscow. He later competed with wife...
| Event | 1967–68 | 1968–69 | 1969–70 | 1970–71 | 1971–72 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
1st | ||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
5th | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Soviet Championships Soviet Figure Skating Championships The Soviet Figure Skating Championships were a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of the Soviet Union... |
3rd | 3rd | 1st | 1st | |
| Prize of Moscow News Prize of Moscow News The Prize of Moscow News , also known as the Moscow Skate, Nouvelles de Moscou, and the Moscow News Trophy, was an international, senior-level figure skating competition held in the former Soviet Union from 1966 to 1990... |
1st | 2nd | 1st |
with Alexander Zaitsev
| Event | 1972–73 | 1973–74 | 1974–75 | 1975–76 | 1976–77 | 1977–78 | 1978–79 | 1979–80 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympics Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
1st | 1st | ||||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | ||
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| Soviet Championships Soviet Figure Skating Championships The Soviet Figure Skating Championships were a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of the Soviet Union... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | ||||
| Prize of Moscow News Prize of Moscow News The Prize of Moscow News , also known as the Moscow Skate, Nouvelles de Moscou, and the Moscow News Trophy, was an international, senior-level figure skating competition held in the former Soviet Union from 1966 to 1990... |
1st |