Svetlana Masterkova
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Svetlana Alexandrovna Masterkova |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Born |
17 January 1968 Achinsk |
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 7 1⁄2 in) |
| Weight | 59 kg (130 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Middle-distance running |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
800 m: 1:55.87 |
|
Medal record
|
|
800 m: 1:55.87
1000 m: 2:28.98 WR
1500 m: 3:56.77
Svetlana Alexandrovna Masterkova (Russian: Светлана Александровна Мастеркова; born 17 January 1968 in Achinsk) is a Russian former middle distance runner and current women's world record holder for the mile and the kilometer. At the 1996 Summer Olympics, she won the gold medal in both the 800 metres and 1500 metres.
Born in Achinsk (Siberia), Masterkova started out as an 800 metres runner. She first appeared internationally at the 1985 European Athletics Junior Championships, taking 6th place in the 800 metres. Her breakthrough came in 1991, winning the national championships of the Soviet Union, which also qualified her for the World Championships. In Tokyo, she placed eighth in the final. During the following seasons, she had some minor successes (silver at the IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics in 1993), but also suffered from injuries. In 1994 and 1995, she took a break from running, giving birth to a daughter (Anastasia).
In 1996, she returned to athletics. Instead of only running the 800 m, Masterkova also decided to compete in the 1500 metres, a distance she had not competed in four years. At the Russian Championships, she won both distances in top times. However, she was not considered as a real favourite for the 800 m Olympic gold; Maria de Lurdes Mutola and Ana Fidelia Quirot were expected to fight for the title in Atlanta. Masterkova took the lead from the start, and led the entire race to become Olympic champion. After this surprise, Masterkova caused a major upset by also winning the 1500 m in a similar fashion, thereby equaling Tatyana Kazankina's performance at the 1976 Olympics (Kelly Holmes would repeat the performance in 2004). She completed her season by also setting two new world records at the 1000 metre and mile distances.
...
Wikipedia