Kulakova Galina Alekseevna - Soviet skier, one of the most titled athletes in the history of the USSR. She was also remembered by the fact that she won all her victories and achievements, being already quite adult by the standards of sports. This is especially noticeable in numerous photos from the competition, where she competed with much younger skiers.
Childhood and youth
The future Olympic champion Galina Alekseevna Kulakova was born at the very height of the Great Patriotic War, in 1942. Her childhood cannot be called simple, because in addition to her, the family had eight children.
From an early age he was forced to help his mother, because his father died during the war. At first, she did just household chores, and when she got a little older, she went to work at a state farm. Even then, it was clear that a good athlete could turn out of it. Kulakova was incredibly efficient and hardy.
Despite her talents, the girl did not think about a sports career at all, because she needed to help her mother.
When the age approached, Kulakova Galina Alekseevna entered the pedagogical school. During her studies, she began to engage in cross-country skiing. Subsequently, she decided to connect her life with this particular occupation. After some time, she entered the gymnasium.
Professional career
Until 1967, she spoke only at tournaments of regional and city significance, but already in the same year an important event took place in the life of a skier - she was invited to the team of the Soviet Union.
Already in 1968 she went to the Olympics and there she received a silver award at a distance of five kilometers.
A year later, she became the bronze medalist in the relay race. A year later, she won her first gold in the championship of the Soviet Union.
1970 was very successful for Kulakova. At the world championship in the High Tatras, she won two “gold” and one “bronze”.
In 1972, Kulakova Galina Alekseevna again went to the Olympics and showed simply incredible results. Despite the fact that she was already thirty years old, she became the owner of three gold awards.
Two years after the successful Olympics, Galina again performed perfectly at the World Cup. After this tournament, there were three more gold awards in her collection.
It is believed that it was for the period from 1972 to 1976. the peak of the athlete's achievements in the international arena came. In subsequent years, she won only one “gold” of the Olympic Games, this will happen in 1976. The remaining awards will be bronze or silver.
One can’t ignore the fact that Galina Alekseevna is an athlete who managed to win the very first World Cup. This tournament took place in 1978, and the Soviet skier was already thirty-six years old. Despite the impressive age, she still won.
Performances at the championships of the USSR
Indeed, the outstanding athlete is Kulakova Galina Alekseevna. Her biography is full of various significant moments, but nothing compares with how many times the skier won the championship of the Soviet Union. She owns a unique achievement, which few managed to repeat - thirty-nine victories. It is worth noting that she equally successfully performed at all distances.
Interesting facts from life
Many different events took place in the life of such an outstanding athlete as Galina Alekseevna Kulakova. The champion with pleasure recalls her busy career.
The skier approached the World Championships in the High Tatras as one of the main favorites. Few people know what she had to endure in order to compete. It so happened that she flew off the track and received a serious injury. The skier was immediately sent to the hospital. Doctors recommended for a long time to refrain from physical exertion, but this was impossible. She did everything in her power, and again stood on the skis. Doctors were struck by the courage and courage of the athlete. Being injured, she managed to win two gold medals at the world championships.
In 1976, during the Winter Olympics, Galina was accused of doping. This happened after she won the bronze medal at a distance of ten kilometers. The doping test was positive due to the fact that on the eve of the competition, the girl used drops from a runny nose.
Kulakova repeatedly hit doctors with her phenomenal health. Despite a hungry and difficult childhood, even in the most difficult conditions, a woman was ill with nothing but a mild cold.
Here she is, Kulakova Galina Alekseevna. Her short biography is very bright and rich, and for many young skiers she is an idol and an example to follow.
State and personal awards
Given the fact what skier achieved incredible heights, the country's leadership could not help but mark it.
- In 1972, after the Olympics, she received the Order of Lenin.
- Has in its collection at once three Badges of Honor.
- After the 1968 Olympics, she received the medal "For Labor Distinction."
- He is an honorary citizen of Izhevsk, as well as the Udmurt Republic.
After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the government of the Russian Federation also noted the champion. In 1997, she was awarded the Order of Merit to the Fatherland. In 2008 received the title of Honored Worker of Physical Education of the Russian Federation.
We can’t ignore the fact that in 1982, Juan Samoranch awarded the athlete the Olympic Order. This order was awarded only to those athletes who made a special contribution to the development of the Olympic movement.
In 2013, the National Bank of the Russian Federation issued a commemorative coin, which depicts Kulakova Galina Alekseevna. The coin is made of silver and to this day is in the personal museum of the great skier.
Conclusion
Today, the famous athlete lives in Italmas. This village is located in Udmurtia.
Galina Alekseevna leads a quiet and calm lifestyle. On television, she does not flicker, but prefers to be at home and do the housework.
Despite the fact that she is already seventy-three years old, the former skier still leads an active and healthy lifestyle. She is sure that the more a person moves, the better he feels.
Kulakova Galina Alekseevna will forever go down in history as one of the greatest skiers.