The history of Russian rhythmic gymnastics in recent years is rich in outstanding champions who outwardly easily defeated all their rivals. Many fans believe that the beginning of the golden times was laid by Alina Kabaeva, who won bronze and bronze medals in 2000 and 2004. gold medal Olympics However, almost everyone forgets that already in 2004 Kabaeva was surpassed. At the Games in Athens, Natalya Lavrova became the first two-time Olympic champion in the history of rhythmic gymnastics. And at the age of 25 she died tragically in a terrible car accident...
A fracture is a good omen
Natalya started doing gymnastics in Penza at the age of five. The girl was very lucky with her coach, and her mentor Olga Stebeneva with her student. They worked with each other with pleasure, Natalya literally absorbed knowledge and progressed very quickly. The idyll was disrupted when the Mentor went on maternity leave. At some point, Natalya even wanted to give up everything, but her love for sports still forced the girl to continue going to training. In 1998, when the young gymnast was only 14 years old, she was recruited to join the national team. It took a year to prove her worth, but Natasha managed to do it. In 1999, she went with the team to the World Championships and won her first major title. Before the Games in Sydney there were no longer any questions about getting into the squad. The athlete was firmly in the base. After her first performances as a member of the national team, Natalya received the nickname “ goldfish" When she competed, the team always took first place in group exercises. Moreover, it was a good omen, oddly enough, when something happened to the athlete herself. Coach Tatyana Vasilyeva said that in 1999 the girl was hit in the nose with a mace. After winning gold, this was jokingly considered a good omen. But then there was no time for jokes: at the Olympics in Sydney, Natalya competed with a broken toe, before the World Championships in New Orleans she twisted her leg, and before the Games in Athens, a tape got into the athlete’s eye. Needless to say, Russia won all these starts.
First double in history
In the four years that passed between the Olympic Games in Australia and Greece, the composition of the Russian team has changed almost completely. Only Natalya remained in the updated team. And she was the leader of the team: both as a champion who won many titles, and as a strong-willed person, kind, responsive and reliable. Girls who had just joined the team could always turn to her for advice or help - Natasha did not refuse. On August 4, on her 20th birthday, Lavrova flew to the Olympics in Athens for her second gold medal and the laurel wreath that was given to champions. The Russian team performed flawlessly in the group all-around, and Natalya became the first two-time Olympic champion in history. rhythmic gymnastics. Considering how young the sport is, this is a remarkable achievement. Even in 2018, such athletes can be counted on one hand. Having won the second gold of the Games at the age of 20, Natalya ended her career as an athlete and switched to coaching. In that field, the talented girl also succeeded quickly: she became the coach of the Olympic training center and the head coach of the Dynamo sports club. The pupils were happy to go to training with Natalya Alexandrovna. With her talents and desire, she could very well raise an Olympic champion herself...
But everything ended in an instant.
There was no chance to survive
April 23 Natalya in hometown was supposed to open a rhythmic gymnastics tournament at the Burtasy Sports Palace. But she was not destined to get there. Natalya was taken to Penza by her younger sister, 23-year-old Olga. She had recently gotten married and was pregnant. And the more tragic are the circumstances of the accident that occurred at about 10 am on the intercity highway. Olga lost control on the slippery road, the Lada drifted into the oncoming lane, and a Mazda crashed into the passenger side, where Natalya was sitting, at full speed. The girls had no chance of surviving the collision. Rescuers who arrived at the scene of the incident pulled out two lifeless bodies from the burning car. Natalya was only 25 years old. A street was named in honor of Natalia in Penza. A children's and youth tournament named after her is also held in her hometown. But the person cannot be returned. In 2018, she would have turned 34 years old.
In the Penza region, they are finding out the reasons. The accident occurred on the morning of April 23. The Lada in which Natalya Lavrova and her sister were traveling collided with a foreign car. Both women died on the spot from their injuries.
The impact was so strong that the car in which Natalya Lavrova was riding caught fire and she was thrown off the roadway. Traffic police inspectors say that neither the gymnast herself nor her sister, who was driving the car, had a chance of salvation. The bodies of the dead were pulled out of the burning car before firefighters arrived.
The circumstances of the traffic accident remain to be determined. It is now reliably known that the accident in which Natalya Lavrova, a two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics, and her sister died, occurred at about 10 am on the 3rd kilometer of the Penza - Shemysheika road.
A VAZ-2114 car collided with a foreign car. Her driver, according to the traffic police, was not seriously injured. Vitaly Ivanov, senior inspector for the traffic police department of the Penza region, says in more detail: “According to the preliminary version, the VAZ-2114 car turned around, and the driver of the Mazda car crashed into the side.”
Natalya Lavrova was in a hurry to Penza. There, in the central sports complex, competitions were held. It was not Natalya herself, but her students who were taking their first steps in big-time sports.
My sports career Natalya Lavrova started at the age of 5. After Olympic gold in group exercises in Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004, when Natalya became Russia’s first two-time Olympic champion, the already accomplished athlete moved on to coaching at the Olympic training center for rhythmic gymnastics.
At the same time, Natalya becomes the head coach in this sport in the Dynamo society. Alina Kabaeva, who won two Olympics together with Natalya Lavrova, recalls the strong sporting character and about the wonderful human qualities of a teammate.
“She was a wonderful girl, open, and always, when there were problems, you could consult with her,” recalls Alina Kabaeva, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on Youth Affairs of the State Duma of the Russian Federation. “This is a loss for sports. She was a great coach and a great gymnast.”
The head coach of the national rhythmic gymnastics team wipes away tears. Shows photographs of Natalya’s performances and says that only two days ago the team leaders decided to involve her as a mentor in the direct preparation of Russian athletes in group exercises.
“She was like the unofficial captain of the team,” says head coach Russian national rhythmic gymnastics team in group exercises Valentina Ivanitskaya. “She had a strong character, so strong that the team obeyed her.”
Having started doing gymnastics at the age of 5, even before his Olympic victories, Natalya Lavrova repeatedly became the world and European champion. The outstanding athlete and just a beginning coach was only 25 years old.
Today in Penza from 9 am they said goodbye to the first two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics Natalya Lavrova and her sister Olga. Let us remind you that on Friday, April 23, a terrible car accident on the Penza-Shemysheika highway claimed the lives of both sisters.
23-year-old Olga was driving the “fourteenth” Zhiguli model. According to the preliminary version, the girl lost control, as a result of which the car ended up in the oncoming lane and collided with a Mazda (read more).
On the eve of the funeral, the president of the All-Russian Federation of Rhythmic Gymnastics, Irina Viner, flew to Penza. Irina Alexandrovna was unable to attend the ceremony itself, so she said goodbye to Natalya at her parents’ house. Wiener also prematurely stopped the rhythmic gymnastics championship, which started at the Burtasy Sports Palace on April 23. Irina Aleksandrovna seemed to read the thoughts of hundreds of people who thought that young athletes in this situation had no time for competitions.
Farewell to the famous gymnast and her sister took place at the Burtasy Sports Palace. The coffins were placed in the very center of the hall. From the very beginning of the ceremony, the stands began to fill with people. It seemed like the whole city was here. People carried flowers, lots of flowers...
The entire Penza elite arrived to honor the memory of Natalya Lavova and her sister Olga: regional governor Vasily Bochkarev, mayor of Penza Roman Chernov, city mayor Ivan Belozertsev, chairman of the region's Legislative Assembly Alexander Gulyakov and many others. The coaching staff of the Olympic Training Center also flew to Penza, as well as coaching staff Russian national gymnastics team.
LAVROVA'S FRIEND ELENA POSEVINA "I STILL DON'T BELIEVE..."
Russian gymnastics has lost a Person, and a very good one at that, a titled gymnast who was an example for all “artists”, not only Penza, but also Russian. Natasha set an example of service to her favorite sport. “I’m not talking about the fact that she was also a coach,” says senior coach of the Russian national team in group exercises Valentina Ivanitskaya, holding back tears with difficulty. – How could this happen, why!? I found out this news when I was in the center of Moscow, and I needed to get behind the wheel. I began to imagine this whole situation. I am VERY sorry for the parents. I can’t imagine how they will bear it. I now have a dream for them to have another child. Now I just want to wish them patience.
Among those who came to see the sisters off last path, was Russian athlete representing rhythmic gymnastics in individual exercises, multiple world champion and wife of Alexei Kortnev from the group “Accident” Amina Zaripova. There were also Natasha Lavrova’s friends on the national team.
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Elena Posevina about Natalya Lavrova. Sergey CHERNY
Natasha is a real person, sincere, truly the captain of the team, we will NEVER forget her. The whole world mourns and remembers. She will forever remain in our hearts,” cries the second (after Lavrova) two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics, Elena Posevina. – My condolences to all relatives, friends and parents. I was informed about the accident an hour after it happened. I didn’t believe it, there was some kind of rejection of information, I still don’t believe it.
THE SISTERS WERE BURIED UNDER A THREE VOLLECTION
That morning everyone was crying: relatives, friends, athletes, officials, workers of the Burtasy sports complex, journalists and ordinary people who did not know Natalia and Olga, but simply came to pay tribute to them.
The farewell ceremony ended around noon. As the coffins were carried out into the street, a funeral march rang out, and passing motorists pressed their horns in unison.
At this moment, even the police officers who were keeping order could not stand their nerves.
And then it started to rain a little, which ended as soon as the cars moved to Uspensky cathedral, where the funeral service took place. The sisters were buried under triple salvo on the Walk of Fame of the New Western Cemetery, next to the prima of the Penza theater, People's Artist of the Russian Federation Lyudmila Lozitskaya.
HELP "KP"
Natalya Lavrova was born on August 4, 1984 in Penza. She started playing sports at the age of 5, her first coach was Olga Stebeneva. She studied at Penza secondary school No. 75. She graduated from Perm State Pedagogical University named after. Belinsky.
Little Natasha grew up active, kind and a cheerful child. Seeing the endless reserves of energy of their daughter, Natalya’s parents decided to send her to the rhythmic gymnastics section. And they realized that they were not mistaken when they saw how their daughter ran to training with pleasure every time: “I really liked moving to the music, inventing new movements! To be in a team of young like-minded women!” - Natasha recalled. She discovered a new world for herself and from the very first classes devoted herself completely to the new business. There is an opinion that real athletes have had their childhood stolen from them. That this is the price they pay for future gold medals. And then you still have to sacrifice health, personal life, freedom, and so on. But Natasha liked her sports childhood. She grew up in a wonderful, strong and friendly family and, with the simplicity and gratitude characteristic of children, she accepted from fate the opportunity to work, endure and win. Years later, having already become a great gymnast, Natasha recalled with a smile her funny childhood image: “In the bitter cold after training, I stood with my dad at the bus stop, waiting for our bus. Dad wrapped me up so much that only my eyes were visible from under the hat. I'm tired, cold, but I smile and rejoice! And there is no one happier than me in the whole wide world! After all, I'm a gymnast! "
Natalia Lavrova's first coach was Yulia Alekseevna Cherepakhina. A warm and trusting relationship quickly developed between her and young Natasha. They complemented each other perfectly on the carpet. Natasha listened carefully and, like a sponge, “absorbed” everything she was taught. I took on all new exercises and elements with readiness and sports passion. She repeated them an infinite number of times and brought every detail to perfection. It was a pleasure for the coach to work with such a student. Both of them fondly recalled the times when Natasha began to make her first sporting successes. But Cherepakhina went on maternity leave, and a cloudy period began in Natasha’s life. Having lost her main ally and mentor, she became sad. It began to seem to her that no one needed her in the hall, no one was paying attention to her. During this period, the gymnast went to training rather out of habit.
But the light stripe quickly replaced the dark one. Natasha’s perseverance and efforts were noticed by the Honored Trainer of Russia T.A. Vasilyeva, who at that time worked with the Russian national group exercise team. Thus began her ascent up the high ladder to the heights of the sports Olympus.
In 1999 I first came to sports training camp on group exercises. Of course, no one made room for her in the first team of the Russian national team before her arrival. I had to endure, learn a lot again and wait for my finest hour. And this moment has come. Six months later, she joined the main team at the World Championships, which took place in the Japanese city of Osaka and was a selection for the Olympic Games. Then Natalya first received the title of world champion in rhythmic gymnastics. She was 15 years old.
After this first big victory in Japan, Natasha firmly secured her place in the team and for nine years she proved every day that it was not by chance that she ended up in the national team. There was no doubt about this even among ill-wishers, when at the Olympics in Sydney, on the millennium, the Russian national team won an unconditional victory in group exercises and brought their country a medal of the highest standard!!!
After winning the Olympic Games Natalya became the captain of her team, becoming a reliable friend to all the girls new to the team. She sincerely tried to help and happily shared her experience. She spared no time or effort to suggest, show, teach...
During her sports career, Natalya Lavrova has achieved a lot. She became a five-time world champion, a four-time European champion, and a two-time Olympic champion as a member of the Russian team in group exercises. At the age of 16 she was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports, and even earlier she became an international master of sports. For her services, the athlete was awarded the Order of Friendship in 2001, and in 2005 she was awarded the Order of Honor. One of Natasha’s most important achievements is that she is listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the most famous gymnast and the first two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics. Many people dream of such results, but only a few achieve them. And Natasha succeeded.
After completion stellar career in the world professional sports Natalya realized that her calling was to teach, pass on her experience to the younger generation, and share her knowledge with others. At the beginning of 2009, Natalya began working as a coach at the Olympic Training Center under the guidance of Honored Coach of Russia Irina Aleksandrovna Viner. At the same time, she was appointed head coach of VFSO Dynamo and successfully combined this position with coaching work. She was highly respected by her colleagues, valued and proud of her friendship. Her students loved her very much...
She and her younger sister Olga died in a car accident near Penza on the Penza-Shemysheika highway. This is a terrible loss for everyone who knew Natasha. This is a huge loss for everyone who loves rhythmic gymnastics. It's a pain that you can't get used to. This is a man who cannot be forgotten.
She will live in our hearts. Kind, pure, sincere. Always.
May her memory be blessed!!!
Russian President Dmitry Medvedev expressed condolences to the family and friends of Olympic champion Natalia Lavrova and her sister Olga Popova in connection with their tragic death as a result of an accident in the Penza region, the press service of the head of state reports. “Natalya Aleksandrovna devoted her life and talent to sports. Her brilliant performances at the Olympic Games, world and European championships rightfully entered the “golden fund” of domestic rhythmic gymnastics,” says the message of the President of the Russian Federation. “They served as a standard of excellence for young athletes whose training Natalya Alexandrovna devoted a lot of time and effort. Like her sister, she was a true professional, open and caring person. Natalya Alexandrovna and Olga Alexandrovna will remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved them."
Poems dedicated to Natalya Lavrova by her students:
Dedicated to Natasha...
I know you are in heaven.
I was able to achieve this.
And you are in an unprecedented land,
Where there is freedom bird.
And the heart began to beat faster,
When suddenly I see your portrait,
And I can't stop
Bitter words "She's not here"
No, I can't accept it.
And I can’t calm down, no, no...
Wait, we all need to calm down.
And the bright light is your soul.
We will never forget.
You are in our hearts FOREVER.
Velvet lilies
Smell in the hallway
Yesterday we were just here
Today there is only grief
Why did you take her?
Why did you take it with you?
You replaced her fate
On the wings behind your back...
Children loved her
Why did you offend them?
There are tons of bitterness in their tears
You've never seen tears like these
She lived beautifully
How others don't live
It hurts like our heart
Cut into pieces
And I can't return my smile
And you can’t return what happened
That damn road
In that moment I ruined everything
We love you forever
And forever you are with us
Natasha, dear
Don't cry, we remember...
She started playing sports at the age of 5, her first coach was Olga Stebeneva.
She studied at Penza secondary school No. 75. She graduated from Penza State Pedagogical University named after. V.G. Belinsky.
Member of the Russian rhythmic gymnastics team since 1998. Coach - Tatyana Vasilyeva. In 1999, at the World Championships, she took 1st place in group exercises.
On September 30, 2000, at the Olympic Games in Sydney (Australia), she won a gold medal in the rhythmic gymnastics competition in group exercises. In 2004, in Athens, Natalya again won a gold medal, becoming the first two-time Olympic champion in rhythmic gymnastics.
Repeated winner international competitions Grand Prix series in group exercises.
She was the head coach of the Dynamo sports club in rhythmic gymnastics, as well as a coach at the Olympic training center for rhythmic gymnastics.
On April 23, 2010, at the age of 25, she died in a car accident near Penza on the Penza-Shemysheika highway along with her younger sister, 23-year-old Olga. The accident occurred at 10:00 Moscow time; the champion’s sister was driving the VAZ-2114. The car in which Lavrova was traveling skidded into the oncoming lane, where it crashed into a Mazda car. The impact threw Lavrova's car off the road, after which the car caught fire. Lavrova’s sister also died at the scene of the accident; the driver of the foreign car was not seriously injured.
Natalya and Olga were buried together on the Walk of Fame at the New Western Cemetery of Penza.
On April 26, 2010, Penza authorities announced that a monument to the deceased first two-time heroine would be erected in the regional center. Olympic champion, it was also decided to organize a rhythmic gymnastics tournament in memory of Natalia Lavrova. It is likely that the competition will receive international status.
Awards
- Order of Honor - For great contribution to development physical culture and sports, tall sporting achievements at the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad 2004 in Athens
- Order of Friendship - For great contribution to the development of physical culture and sports and high sporting achievements at the Games of the XXVII Olympiad 2000 in Sydney
