Irina Rodnina is considered the greatest female figure skater of the 20th century in Russia. She overcame serious injuries and partnership changes to eventually form a successful pair with Aleksandr Zaitcev. Together, Rodnina and Zaitcev trained tirelessly, winning over audiences with their artistry and perseverance during difficult performances. They went on to win 39 gold medals together over their career, including 3 Olympic gold medals. Now retired, Rodnina remains a prominent public figure in Russia who works to develop children's sports.

1. Irina Rodnina –
The legend of ice
Irina Konstantinovna Rodnina is the greatest sportsman of the 20th
century, a real legend of Russian figure skating.
She became famous owing to incredible strong will and desire to win.

2. Irina was born in 1949 in Moscow. When she was 4, she stood on skates. Later
her parents sent her to a school of figure skating. Irina skated with great pleasure.
Just this kind of sport formed her character and determined her way of life.

3. The career of all professional sportsmen is hard work: injuries and daily
overcoming of difficulties. Irina had such periods too. In 1972 the day before the
world championship she got serious head injury, but anyway she decided to take
part in the competition. The same year her partner, with whom she skated many
years, left her. It was a very hard period in her life, and Irina decided to leave sport.

4. But her coach supported her, and Irina did not give up. The coach gave her a new
partner – Aleksandr Zaitcev. The pair Rodnina-Zaitcev began their way from the scratch. It
was very hard. Irina and Aleksandr trained a lot – 7 days a week from morning till night. And
the results came soon.
Not only professional referees but ordinary people loved this pair, especially after the
programme during the world championship in 1973 in Bratislava.

5. Rodnina and Zaitcev started to skate their program perfectly. It was the first world championship when they
danced together. They were very nervous. Suddenly in the middle of their program music stopped. Viewers were
waiting. But Rodnina and Zaitcev did not stop and continued their performance. Viewers began to applaud.
When the sportsmen finished their skating, clock showed, that they did it exactly according to the scheduled
time. This event went down in history of figure skating as an example of real sports character and will to win.
Russian proverb says: A friend in need is a friend indeed. Irina and Aleksandr showed, that they can trust
each other in very hard moments. 2 years later they married.

6. It was only beginning of their great way in sport: 39 gold medals, including 3
Olympic medals. It is the unique collection of awards of these sportsmen.
Their beautiful dance “Kalinka-malinka” is still one of the brightest examples of
professionalism and artistry of Russian sportsmen.

7. Now Irina Konstantinovna is a politician and public figure, who helps to develop children sport.
Rodnina is an example of a very strong woman, who never gives up and moves forward despite anything.
Viewers saw her tears only once - Irina was crying with joy when she became the Olympic champion for
the third time.
Such people as Irina Konstantinovna Rodnina are real treasure of our country and models to follow for
the youth!