Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

Many people wonder how to become a strong, successful person, reach heights in life. This helps in the study of biographies of prominent people. Who are they, how have achieved success and fame? Maybe they are arranged differently and they have different living conditions in comparison with ordinary people? Let's see if this is the example of the biography of Olga Korbut - artistic gymnastics, the object of admiration and the admiration of people from many countries. It called it "Russian prima ballerina", "Russian chicken", "petite beauty."

The family and the home of Olga

History Olga Korbut resembles a fairy tale of Cinderella. She was born in the Belarusian city of Grodno May 16, 1955. The girl was not rich and famous parents. On the contrary, she grew up in a very ordinary family: my father was an engineer, and his mother - a cook. The living conditions were more than modest - the family huddled in a room with no amenities area of ​​20 m 2. But, apart from Oli, the family grew even three girls. Six people in one room!

Sports path Start

Olga studied in primary school as "excellent". In the second grade we have accepted it in the school gymnastic section. For equipment funds was not there and my mother sewed Gym shoes of terry towels and bathing suit - in a long shirt. Later, at the age of ten, Olga went to a sports school to coach Renald Knyshov. At first he did not believe in too well-fed, according to him, girl. But another coach, a student Knish Elena Volchetskaya, Olympic champion, something made out in Ola, and that given the chance. Gradually and Renald Knysh praised young gymnast. Among the many girls he was looking for the most capable, from which you can foster a future champion. Coach was able to see a huge potential in the small and nondescript Korbut. Actually, Olya and Renald Knysh were harmonious tandem it - striving for novelty, risk, stubborn, uncompromising, it - too stubborn, talented, flexible, very workable, strong in body and spirit, willing to act, to amaze the audience. Just set up for the gym! Later, in an interview with Olga Korbut says that all the most important thing in her life - both good and not so - due to the gymnastics.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

The difficult nature of the future champion

She was very emotional and spontaneous. On the complexity of his character gymnast Olga Korbut told me in an interview, referring to temper obnoxious. She could not cope with them: it wanted to do this exercise, which she is not allowed to perform the coach, then, on the other hand, flatly refused to demonstrate any proposed Wren (as it was called Korbut) trivial element. There has been viewed and the power of its sporting character.

Salto on a log

In sports biography of Olga Korbut has a magnificent achievement. Sportswoman with a trainer developed a new, unusual, risky exercises. Olga first loudly declared itself, performing in 14 years somersault on the balance beam in the junior competitions.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

A few years they Renaldo Knyshov hard preparing this sensational element, but with varying success. Skeptics do not believe that the girl will be able to achieve stability in the performance of a somersault, and that it will be possible to produce this at the international competitions. But miscalculated: Olya pace yourself repeats of a unique element, and all began to turn.

The first important victory Korbut

The first major sports victory was a gymnast at the national championship in 1970. Olga was awarded a gold medal for the vault. As a result, she became a member of the USSR national team.

The success at the Munich Olympic Games

It is approaching the first Olympics Olga Korbut - in 1972 in the German city of Munich. The girl was 17 years old gymnast was in excellent physical shape. With a coach, they have prepared an original program, full of novelties and risky elements. The hour of the global triumph of Olga Korbut.

Miniature (height - 152 cm), with provocative tails strapped bright ribbons, and flexible plastic, has a surprisingly clean and smooth lines which creates on the gymnastic apparatus Smasher, Olea produced sensation. A particularly stunned the world "loop" Korbut. Until now, the women's gymnastics nobody made such risky element. The girl stood up on top of a pole boards and jumped back flip, grabbed the top rung and continue at a fast pace continued its beautiful combination. She moved so easily and smoothly as if it did not act the force of gravity.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

The crowd was jubilant. Olga landed precisely and firmly, triumphantly straightened up and lit up with a happy smile. In general, her smile - it is also a kind of calling card: a broad, sincere, joyful, captivating.

Superbly acted Olga Korbut and balance beam, and floor exercise, which earned them the gold. Specifically set before the Olympics, the new composition of free "Kalinka" has demonstrated in all the splendor of the magnificent acrobatics girl and her artistry.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

But on the uneven bars, she still lost to the German gymnast Karin Janz and became the second. In the team competition Olga won the gold medal total - three gold and one silver! Inspires result for a debutant Olympics.

The history of "dead loop" Olga Korbut

This is a very risky item unique athlete has demonstrated for the first time in 1969 at the USSR Championship.

As well there was a phenomenal "loop" Korbut, which later blew up the Olympic rostrum? Renald Knysh told me that one day on the training Olya simply amused at the bars and suddenly did something out of the ordinary. The coach immediately felt an unusual performance and tried to reproduce the work done in the memory element. Thus was born the legendary "dead loop" Olga Korbut on otshlifovki which took years.

In an interview with gymnast he told me that was always afraid to nausea that item and before going to the beam overcomes a great desire to get away from the competition by whistling and hooting of angry fans. But, of course, he came and sang his composition. At no time during the performance of "loop" it does not tear, it does not hurt.

The paradox is that the gymnast of all time performances in international competitions has not won a single gold medal in the uneven bars. All first place for the shell is usually left to the German athlete, and Ola gave top honors for the exercise on the balance beam and floor. It's a shame, it is strange, but true.

Subsequently, the "loop", to improve it (by adding a screw), repeated Elena Mukhina. But once Mukhina something calculated and in training by repeating the treacherous element has fallen from the bars, I got spinal fracture and lay paralyzed for 25 years. After this tragic event to do "loop the loop" was banned. Now, according to the rules of sports gymnastics athletes can not get up to the upper pole of the projectile.

The flow of world fame

After the Olympic Games in Munich glory literally collapsed on the young Olga. Her adored fans from different countries, and it cost her to come abroad to shop, she immediately gave the gift of goods. She bought a wig and dark glasses, but it did not help to disguise themselves - still recognized, approached, took autographs.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

Soviet athletes traveled to the demonstration performances in different countries, and the people came to watch in the first place in the "Russian sparrow". In the US, 200 gyms and sports gymnastics boom was named in honor of Olga Korbut.

Korbut meeting with US President

Olga met with US President Richard Nixon. Subsequently, Russian diplomats have admitted to her that she had done in the Soviet- American politics what they failed to accomplish in 5 years. Olga Nixon talked quite at ease.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

Olga Nixon said: "What is the little girl," to which she, without knowing it, not very good English said high Nixon: "You're a big boy." Laughter among others did not stop a few minutes. Then the team was invited to dinner. In the relations between the two countries breathed warmth. It was after a visit to America Olga and her meeting with President Nixon arrived in the Soviet Union in 1974 during the Cold War.

The change of coach

Soon athlete split with his coach Renald Knyshov and became involved with Olga Alexeeva. It was quite different in character mentors. Alexeeva - a quiet, friendly, she was able to become a friend of Olga older, but that does not prevent her to be demanding and strict teacher.

World Championship in Varna

At the world championships in 1974 in Varna, Bulgaria Olga felt in the best physical shape during the whole sports life. During the competition gymnast earned two gold (in the team competition and vault) and four silver medals (all-around, bars, beam, floor). In the all-around gold he won Lyudmila Turishcheva constant rival Korbut, Olga and felt the injustice of what is happening, because it reveals a lovely, clean, innovative exercises, was in great shape.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

And the audience violently indignant when they saw a small evaluation Korbut. But sports are sports that can be done.

Victory in the USSR and the Olympics in Montreal

And then in the biography of Olga Korbut victory in the Games of the peoples of the USSR and the title of absolute champion of the USSR in 1975. In 1976 - the Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada. There Olga Korbut won a gold medal in the team and won silver for the performance on the balance beam. This, it would seem, is not too victorious performance was due to heightened long-standing ankle injury, and that did not leave the competition, Olga coach had greatly simplifies their program to remove from it the most spectacular and dangerous elements that were in store in abundance.

retires

At 23, in 1978, Olga Korbut has decided to leave the big sport, and at the international competitions held its solemn farewell in Moscow. Having been demonstrations Russian gymnasts in Tehran, where Korbut finally once again delighted fans with his skill. The audience begged: "Do not go, Olga!" But life has begun a new stage.

Life of Olga Korbut

In the biography of Olga Korbut has a place not only sporting achievements, but also a beautiful love. Once on the plane, she met the famous soloist VIA "Pesnyary" Leonid Bortkiewicz. Olga flew with the athletes, and Leonid - with the musicians. Both were sitting apart from his bands, and Olga offered to the young man bored together. As a result, they talked for 6 hours. Finally Bortkiewicz Olga wrote her phone number. And she called back ... a year later, when she was alone and she accidentally saw Leonid number. Met, we stared at each other, and she knew it was love. Apparently, Leonid felt the same, with the result that they were married and lived in for 22 years. Olga gave birth to a son, Richard Leonid contrary to the forecasts of doctors (thought that she could not give birth).

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

Children Olga Korbut could get two, because they are waiting to Bortkiewicz and the second son, who has already been decided to name Vanya. But the baby was born dead.

Everyone in the family was fine, but in cases of charity Korbut became often fly to America, eventually moving there permanently. She was loved by the United States and is still getting a lot of proposals on cooperation in the sports sector. Leonid also could not find a place in the United States and returned to Russia to continue a musical career. The family split up.

Later Olga married journalist Alexei Voynich, but the marriage was very short.

Now personal life of Olga Korbut's all good. She is going to marry an American Jay Shenfilta, marketing specialist. Their relationship lasted for 10 years. Chosen athletes under 17 years old, but the age difference does not prevent them. And Korbut in 2013 became a grandmother: Richard born son Valentin.

The merits of a gym

In artistic gymnastics Olga Korbut has left a significant mark. Its achievements - this innovative somersault on the balance beam, the legendary "dead loop" Korbut, jump flick-flick (back to two feet), the highest dignity medals at two Olympics, several international and All-Union competitions, bringing novelty and complexity of many of the existing elements, risky , cheeky, sometimes express the manner of execution of elements, creating his unique style.

How to live Olga Korbut is now

Olga V. live in a small American town of Scottsdale, Arizona. She trains the individual gymnasts, but also developed their fitness program and teaches fitness. it also receives royalties from invented it in gymnastics elements.

Olga Korbut: biography, personal life, sports achievements

The former gymnast looks good, feels good, it retained its former weight (42 kg), follow the diet - Eat mostly fruit and vegetable salads.

An example to follow

Biography Olga Korbut shows how the most common, and rather poor homely girl thanks to his perseverance, hard work, courage and spontaneity became famous and loved by millions of people athlete. Of course, she can not deny the talent, but because each person has their own talents and abilities and can thanks to the perseverance and determination to achieve great heights in life.