Maria Leontyavna Itkina
Encyclopedia
Maria Leontyavna Itkina (born May 3, 1932) is a former Soviet runner and world record holder.
, Smolensk
, Russia, and later lived in Minsk
.
, Belarus. Itkina held 17 Russian track and field titles.
, achieved in 1960, is among the best-ever.
of 53.9 seconds in 1955. In 1957, she lowered the world record to 53.6 seconds. She tied or broke her mark seven times. She lowered the record to 53.0 seconds on August 29, 1964.
, at 53.7 seconds, in September 1959, beating the record of Betty Cuthbert
of Australia.
in Paris, in 24.6 seconds.
won the gold medal). In 1962 in Belgrade she won the 400-meter event (53.4) ahead of Joy Grieveson of Great Britain and Tilly van der Made
of the Netherlands. In 1965, she won another 400-meter gold medal.
) and 200-meter (.03 seconds behind Dorothy Hyman
) sprints and 4x100 relay at the 1960 Rome Olympics, and fifth in the 400-meter relay in 1964 in Tokyo (.2 seconds behind Judy Amoore
). She was also eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200-meter sprint at the 1956 Olympics, coming in .01 seconds behind qualifier Norma Croker
.
She was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
in 1991.
Personal life
Itkina is Jewish, and was born in RoslavlRoslavl
Roslavl is a town and the administrative center of Roslavlsky District of Smolensk Oblast, Russia. It is a road and rail junction and a market town. Population: It was founded in 1137 by the Smolensk prince Rostislav Mstislavitch, hence the name...
, Smolensk
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, Smolensk...
, Russia, and later lived in Minsk
Minsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
.
Running career
Itkina ran for Spartak Minsk and the Dynamo Club in MinskMinsk
- Ecological situation :The ecological situation is monitored by Republican Center of Radioactive and Environmental Control .During 2003–2008 the overall weight of contaminants increased from 186,000 to 247,400 tons. The change of gas as industrial fuel to mazut for financial reasons has worsened...
, Belarus. Itkina held 17 Russian track and field titles.
60 meters
In 1961, she tied the indoor 60 meter sprint world record of 7.3 seconds.100 meters
Her mark of 11.4 seconds in the 100-meter sprint100 metres
The 100 metres, or 100-metre dash, is a sprint race in track and field competitions. The shortest common outdoor running distance, it is one of the most popular and prestigious events in the sport of athletics. It has been contested at the Summer Olympics since 1896...
, achieved in 1960, is among the best-ever.
400 meters
She set a 400-meter world recordWomen's 400 metres world record progression
The first world record in the 400 m for women was recognized by the International Amateur Athletics Federation, now known as the International Association of Athletics Federations, in 1957....
of 53.9 seconds in 1955. In 1957, she lowered the world record to 53.6 seconds. She tied or broke her mark seven times. She lowered the record to 53.0 seconds on August 29, 1964.
440 yards
She set a world record at 440 yards440-yard dash
The 440-yard dash, or quarter-mile race, is a sprint race in track and field competitions.In many countries, athletes previously competed in the 440 yard dash – also referred to as the 'quarter-mile'...
, at 53.7 seconds, in September 1959, beating the record of Betty Cuthbert
Betty Cuthbert
Elizabeth Cuthbert AM, MBE is an Australian athlete, and a fourfold Olympic champion....
of Australia.
800-meter relay
In 1963, Itkina ran the third leg of the Soviet women’s 800-meter relay team that set a world record of 1.34.7.World University Games
She also won the 200-meter sprint at the 1957 World University Games1957 World University Games
The 1957 World University Games were organised by the International University Sports Federation and held in Paris, France. At these games a number of Athletic events were contested.-Men’s events:-Women’s events:-Medal table:-References:...
in Paris, in 24.6 seconds.
European championships
Itkina was a four-time European Champion. In 1954 at Bern, she won gold medals in the 200-meter (24.3) and 4 x 100-meter relay. In 1958 in Stockholm, she won the 400-meter event in a record 53.7 seconds, and won the bronze medal in the 200 meter race (24.3; as Barbara JaniszewskaBarbara Janiszewska
Barbara Janiszewska was a Polish athlete who mainly competed in the women's sprint events during her career....
won the gold medal). In 1962 in Belgrade she won the 400-meter event (53.4) ahead of Joy Grieveson of Great Britain and Tilly van der Made
Tilly van der Made
Tilly van der Made is a retired female middle distance runner from the Netherlands, who was born as Mathilda Catrina van der Zwaard....
of the Netherlands. In 1965, she won another 400-meter gold medal.
Olympics
In three Olympics, she came in fourth in four events, including a 4x100 relay at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, and the 100-meter (.06 seconds behind Giuseppina LeoneGiuseppina Leone
Giuseppina "Giusy" Leone is an Italian athlete, who mainly competed in the 100 metres.She competed for Italy in the 100 metres at the 1960 Summer Olympics held in Rome, Italy, where she won the bronze medal, .06 seconds ahead of Maria Leontyavna Itkina of the Soviet Union.In 1954 in the European...
) and 200-meter (.03 seconds behind Dorothy Hyman
Dorothy Hyman
Dorothy Hyman is a British athlete who competed mainly in the 100 metres....
) sprints and 4x100 relay at the 1960 Rome Olympics, and fifth in the 400-meter relay in 1964 in Tokyo (.2 seconds behind Judy Amoore
Judy Amoore
Judith "Judy" Florence Amoore is a former Australian runner. She was born in Melbourne, Victoria.At the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo she won a bronze medal in the first 400 metres race for females, only beaten by countrywoman Betty Cuthbert and Brit Ann Packer...
). She was also eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200-meter sprint at the 1956 Olympics, coming in .01 seconds behind qualifier Norma Croker
Norma Croker
Norma Croker Fleming is a former Australian sprinter.At the 1956 Summer Olympics in Melbourne, Australia, she placed 4th in the individual 200 metres race, but won the gold medal in 4 x 100 metres relay, together with Shirley Strickland, Fleur Mellor and Betty Cuthbert...
.
Honors
Itkina is a Merited Master of Sports in the Soviet Union, the nation’s highest honor for Soviet athletes.She was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame
The International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame was opened July 7, 1981, in Netanya, Israel. It honors Jewish athletes and their accomplishments from anywhere around the world....
in 1991.
See also
- List of select Jewish track and field athletes