Svetlana Vanyo
Encyclopedia
Svetlana Pozdeyeva is a Russian-American swimmer, coach, and private swimming instructor. She is a World Champion medalist, Russian National record holder, and 1996 Olympics finalist.
Svetlana Pozdeyeva's swimming accomplishments earned her the one of the highest awards in Russia for her contributions to the nation: the Russian Federation's Certificate to the State and Medal of the Order for Merits before the Fatherland "Second Degree," awarded to her personally in 1995 by President Boris Yeltsin
. In total, Svetlana Pozdeyeva won 20 gold, silver, and bronze medals at various international competitions throughout her swimming career.
At the age of 15, Pozdeyeva was selected to join the Russian National Swimming Team. During this time, she trained and competed with the National Team and also participated in junior swimming meets for which she was still eligible. She swam the same events on the National Team: the 100- and 200-meter butterfly and the medley relay. Highlights during this time: she won a silver medal at the 1993 European Aquatics Championships in Sheffield, United Kingdom, a silver medal at the 1993 European Sprint Swimming Champships
in Gateshead, United Kingdom, 2 silver medals at the 1994 Goodwill Games
in St. Petersburg, Russia, a bronze medal at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships
in Rome, Italy, and a silver medal at the 1997 European Aquatics Championships in Seville, Spain.
Pozdeyeva qualified for the Russian Olympic Swimming Team in 1996. She swam in the 100-meter butterfly and the medley relay at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Her medley relay team made the finals, and she swam in the B Finals for the 100-meter butterfly.
Pozdeyeva retired from competitive swimming in 1997 to focus on her education. She graduated from the Pedagogical University of Samara
in 2000 with a Bachelors of Arts and a Masters of Arts in Physical Education.
Now known as Vanyo, she obtained her U.S. citizenship on September 11, 2009 and resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Svetlana Pozdeyeva's swimming accomplishments earned her the one of the highest awards in Russia for her contributions to the nation: the Russian Federation's Certificate to the State and Medal of the Order for Merits before the Fatherland "Second Degree," awarded to her personally in 1995 by President Boris Yeltsin
Boris Yeltsin
Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999.Originally a supporter of Mikhail Gorbachev, Yeltsin emerged under the perestroika reforms as one of Gorbachev's most powerful political opponents. On 29 May 1990 he was elected the chairman of...
. In total, Svetlana Pozdeyeva won 20 gold, silver, and bronze medals at various international competitions throughout her swimming career.
Career
Pozdeyeva was selected to join the Russian Junior National Swimming Team in 1988 at the age of 11. She swam the 100- and 200-meter butterfly and the medley relay, traveling with the team to many international swimming competitions. At a major competitive junior event, the 1992 European Junior Swimming Championships, held in Leeds, England, Pozdeyeva won a gold medal in the medley relay and a silver medal in the 100-meter butterfly.At the age of 15, Pozdeyeva was selected to join the Russian National Swimming Team. During this time, she trained and competed with the National Team and also participated in junior swimming meets for which she was still eligible. She swam the same events on the National Team: the 100- and 200-meter butterfly and the medley relay. Highlights during this time: she won a silver medal at the 1993 European Aquatics Championships in Sheffield, United Kingdom, a silver medal at the 1993 European Sprint Swimming Champships
European Sprint Swimming Championships 1993
The third edition of the European Sprint Swimming Championships 1993 were held in Gateshead, United Kingdom, from 11–13 November. The championships were organised by the Ligue Européenne de Natation , with events held in a short course pool....
in Gateshead, United Kingdom, 2 silver medals at the 1994 Goodwill Games
1994 Goodwill Games
The 1994 Goodwill Games was the third edition of the multi-sport event, created by Ted Turner, which was held in Saint Petersburg, Russia between July 23 and August 7, 1994...
in St. Petersburg, Russia, a bronze medal at the 1994 World Aquatics Championships
1994 World Aquatics Championships
The 1994 FINA World Aquatics Championships were held in Rome, Italy between September 1 and September 11, 1994.-Medal table:-Diving:MenWomen-Open water swimming:MenWomen-Swimming:MenWomen-Synchronized swimming:-Water polo:...
in Rome, Italy, and a silver medal at the 1997 European Aquatics Championships in Seville, Spain.
Pozdeyeva qualified for the Russian Olympic Swimming Team in 1996. She swam in the 100-meter butterfly and the medley relay at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Georgia. Her medley relay team made the finals, and she swam in the B Finals for the 100-meter butterfly.
Pozdeyeva retired from competitive swimming in 1997 to focus on her education. She graduated from the Pedagogical University of Samara
Samara State University
Samara State University is a classical multi-faculty university and a leading educational institution of higher education in Samara Oblast, Russia. It consists of faculties of Mathematics and Mechanics, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Philology, History, Sociology, Economy and Management, Psychology,...
in 2000 with a Bachelors of Arts and a Masters of Arts in Physical Education.
Now known as Vanyo, she obtained her U.S. citizenship on September 11, 2009 and resides in Charlottesville, Virginia.