Ludmilla Tourischeva

Ludmilla Ivanovna Tourischeva (Russian: Людми́ла Ива́новна Тури́щева; also transliterated as Ludmilla Turischeva, Ludmilla Tourischcheva, and Ljudmila Turichtchieva, born 7 October 1952) is a Russian former gymnast.  She won nine Olympic medals for the Soviet Union. She also won the World Championships all-around gold in 1970 and 1974.

She was known for her calmness.  In the 1975 World Cup in London, the uneven bars broke and fell as she was landing.  She saluted the judges and left the floor without even turning to see the damage.  She won all gold medals for the Cup including the all-around medal. Her trainer Vladislav Rastorotsky said about her: "Ljudmila would fight to death in any situation".

Tourischeva was also known for her graciousness. At the 1976 Olympics, she walked around the podium to personally congratulate champion Nadia Comăneci.  Tourischeve shook Comăneci's hand before accepting her own medal.

In 1977, she married sprinter Valeriy Borzov.  He was a two-time Olympic champion in 1972. Tourischeva keeps involved in gymnastics as a coach and an international judge.

Ludmilla Tourischeva is 1 of only 2 women to win the grand slam of all-around titles: Olympics, World Championships, World Cup, and European Championships.  Yelena Shushunova is the other.

References

Category:1952 births
Category:Living people
Category:Medalists at the 1968 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 1972 Summer Olympics
Category:Medalists at the 1976 Summer Olympics

Category:Olympic gold medalists for the Soviet Union
Category:Olympic silver medalists for the Soviet Union
Category:Russian gymnasts
Category:World champions