Biography:
Mariya Aleksandrovna Lasitskene (Russian: Мария Александровна Ласицкене, pronounced [mɐˈrʲijə ləsʲɪtsˈkʲenɨ]; née Kuchina; born 14 January 1993) is a Russian athlete who specializes in the high jump. She is the 2020 Olympic champion and three-time world champion (2015, 2017, and 2019). With her victory in Tokyo, Lasitskene became the fourth female high jumper in history to win gold at both the Olympic Games and the World Championships.
Lasitskene’s journey to becoming one of the greatest high jumpers of her time began at a young age. She won her first international medal at the 2009 World Youth Championships in Athletics, where she cleared a personal best of 1.85 m to take the silver medal. This early success foreshadowed her future achievements in the sport.
Throughout her career, Lasitskene has consistently proven herself on the global stage. In the 2010 Summer Youth Olympics, she won a gold medal in the girls’ high jump with a clearance of 1.89 m. Building on this victory, she continued to make her mark in the high jump world.
In 2011, Lasitskene defeated the celebrated high jumper Yelena Slesarenko with an indoor best jump of 1.90 m. She continued to impress with a world junior indoor record of 1.97 m, surpassing the previous record held since 1994. These milestones demonstrated Lasitskene’s exceptional talent and established her as a rising star in the high jump discipline.
Lasitskene’s success continued to soar as she clinched an ex-aequo gold medal at the 2014 World Indoor Championships and a silver at the 2014 European Championships. However, it was the 2015 season that truly cemented her standing as one of the best in the world. At the European Indoor Championships that year, she claimed gold, and later at the World Championships, she reached a personal best of 2.01 m to secure another gold medal.
Following her triumph at the World Championships, Lasitskene was poised to compete for Olympic gold at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. However, her dreams were shattered when the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) upheld the decision to ban the Russian Track and Field Federation from the Games due to systemic doping issues. Lasitskene’s aspirations were abruptly halted, despite her exemplary form and deserving qualifications.
Despite the setback, Lasitskene remained undeterred. She continued to train diligently and push herself to new heights. In April 2017, her application to compete as a neutral athlete until Russia is reinstated was accepted. This landmark decision allowed Lasitskene to resume competition despite the ban on the Russian Track and Field Federation.
Her first competition back was the third Diamond League event in Eugene, where she won the women’s high jump with a personal best and world-leading height of 2.03 m. Displaying her exceptional skills, she further improved her record to 2.04 m on 11 June 2017 in Hengelo. Just weeks later, Lasitskene set a new personal best and a Diamond League record with a height of 2.06 m at the Diamond League in Lausanne.
Lasitskene’s undeniable talent and resilience were rewarded once again when she defended her world title in London on 12 August 2017, reaching a height of 2.03 m. Her remarkable performances solidified her place among the great names of high jump history.
In addition to her exceptional achievements, Lasitskene has become an inspiration for young athletes and women around the world. Her dedication, perseverance, and resilience in the face of adversity serve as a testament to the indomitable spirit of women in sports.
Awards:
– Olympic Champion (2020)
– Three-time World Champion (2015, 2017, 2019)
– Gold Medalist at the World Youth Championships (2009)