Tatyana Averina (1950 – 2001) — Olympic champion in speed skating.
Tatyana Borisovna Averina was born on June 25, 1950, in City of Gorky.
When Tanya arrived with her skates at the children's sports school of the Burevestnik sports society, her coach Antonina Vereina immediately noticed the freedom of movement of the 12-year-old girl and her determined character. Usually newcomers feel inhibited at their first training sessions, afraid to fall, and ready to burst into tears at the slightest thing — but not Tanya. Of course she fell too, but she never whimpered or got angry; she simply kept on the ice doing things her own way.
Eight years later, Averina — by then the national junior champion — was named a candidate for the USSR national team. But three more years passed before the girl from Gorky truly made her mark. That moment came when Tatyana blazed through 1,000 meters in 1 minute 26.1 seconds. A world record! Alas, it was not ratified, because the competition was unofficial.
After that she was included in the national team on equal footing with the leading speed skaters. Tatyana began competing in major international events, bringing back medals from World and European Championships. But there were setbacks too. There were frustrating falls on the ice and technical errors. One of these — a mistake Averina made when changing lanes — cost her the world sprint all-around title in 1974. Yet Tatyana was unbending. In the following season she set world records at 500 meters, 1,000 meters, and 1,500 meters, proving herself one of the top contenders for victory at the Innsbruck Olympics. Averina traveled to the Tyrolean capital as the number-one member of the team and immediately launched her attack on formidable rivals from East Germany, West Germany, and Canada. But gold did not come at once. Over the 500-meter and 1,500-meter distances, the 25-year-old from Gorky seemed to be merely gathering momentum — momentum that translated into bronze medals. Then, reaching full speed, Tatyana drove straight for the top prizes. No one could overtake her in the 1,000-meter and 3,000-meter races. Crowned in February 1976 with four Olympic medals — two gold and two bronze — Averina became one of the jewels of the "Pearl of the Alps," as Austrians call their Innsbruck. On her return, the names of Averina and her coach Vereina were entered into the Chronicle of Komsomol Glory. Tatyana was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour, and Antonina Ivanovna received the Order of the Badge of Honour. After her Olympic triumph, Tatyana married and became a Muscovite. Having retired from competitive sport, she worked for a time as a coach and came to Nizhny Novgorod nearly every year, not only to visit relatives and friends but also to take part in veterans' competitions. Tatyana Borisovna died in her 52nd year from stomach cancer. The legendary speed skater was mourned in the capital, where her funeral was held, and in Nizhny Novgorod.