Galina Kulakova: biography and photos

Kulakova Galina Alekseevna - Soviet skier, one of the most titled athletes in the history of the USSR. She also remembered that she won all her victories and achievements, being already in quite an adult by the standards of sport age. This is especially noticeable in numerous photos from the competition, where it competed with much younger skiers.

Childhood and youth

Future Olympic champion Galina Alekseevna Kulakova was born in the midst of the Great Patriotic War, in 1942. Her childhood can not be called simple, because in addition to her 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 helped with housework, and when she became a bit older she went to work in the state farm. Even then it was clear that she could make a good athlete. Kulakov was incredibly efficient and hardy.

Despite her talents, the girl did not think about sports career at all, because she had to help her mother.

When age approached, Galina Kulakova entered the pedagogical school. During her studies she started skiing. Subsequently, she decided to link her life with this occupation. After some time she entered the sports school.

Professional career

Until 1967, she performed only in regional and urban tournaments, but in the same year, an important event took place in the life of a skier - she was invited to the national 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 of the Olympic Games in the relay race. A year later she won her first "gold" at the championship of the Soviet Union.

Very successful for Kulakova was in 1970. At the World Championship in the High Tatras, she won two "gold" and one "bronze".

In 1972, Galina Kulakova again went to the Olympics and showed incredible results. Despite the fact that she was already thirty years old, she became the owner of three gold medals.

Two years after the successful Olympics, Galina again performed well at the World Championships. After this tournament in her collection was three gold awards more.

It is believed that it was for the period from 1972 to 1976. It was the peak of the achievements of the sportswoman in the international arena. In subsequent years, she won only one "gold" of the Olympic Games, it will happen in 1976. The rest of the awards will be bronze or silver.

One can not ignore the fact that Galina Alekseevna is an athlete who managed to win at the very first World Cup. This tournament took place in 1978, and the Soviet skier was already thirty-six years old. Despite her impressive age, she still won.

Performances at the championships of the USSR

Indeed, the outstanding athlete is Galina Kulakova. Her biography is full of various significant moments, but nothing compares to how many times a skier won the championship of the Soviet Union. She owns a unique achievement, which few people managed to repeat, thirty-nine victories. It is worth noting that she equally successfully performed at all distances.

Interesting facts from life

A lot of different events happened in the life of such an outstanding sportswoman, as Galina Alekseevna Kulakova. Champion with pleasure recalls his busy career.

To the World Championships in the High Tatras the skier came up as one of the main favorites. Few people know what she had to endure to compete in the competition. It so happened that she flew off the track and was seriously injured. The skier was immediately sent to the hospital. Doctors recommended for a long time to refrain from physical exertion, but it was impossible. She did everything that was in her power, and again got on the skis. The doctors were amazed at the courage and courage of the sportswoman. Being traumatized, she managed to win two gold medals at the World Championship.

In 1976, during the winter Olympics, Galina was accused of using dope. This happened after she won a bronze award at a distance of ten kilometers. The dope test was positive because of the fact that on the eve of the competition the girl used drops from the cold.

Kulakova repeatedly struck doctors with her phenomenal health. Despite the hungry and hard childhood, even in the most difficult conditions, the woman was not ill, except for a mild cold.

That's it, Galina Kulakova. Her brief 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 Has achieved incredible heights, the country's leadership could not fail to note it.

• In 1972, after the Olympics, she received the Order of Lenin.
• Has in its collection just three Badges of Honor.
• After the Olympics in 1968 she received the medal "For Labor Distinction".
• He is an honorary citizen of Izhevsk, and also of 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 for the Fatherland. In 2008 she was awarded the title of Honored Worker of Physical Culture of the Russian Federation.

One can not ignore the fact that in 1982 Juan Samoranch awarded the athlete with 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 depicting Galina Kulakova. The coin is made of silver and is still in the personal museum of the great skier.

Conclusion

Today the famous sportswoman lives in Italmas. This village is in Udmurtia.

Galina Alekseevna leads a quiet and calm way of life. On TV it does not flash, but prefers to stay at home and do business.

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.

Galina Kulakova will forever go down in history as one of the greatest skiers.