Born: 1934 (Petrozavodsk, Russia)
Tamara Ivanovna Manina (Russian: Тамара Ивановна Манина; born 16 September 1934) is a retired Soviet Olympic gymnast and a sports scientist.
Biography:
Tamara Manina was born on September 16, 1934, in Petrozavodsk, Russia. Her family lived in Petersburg (and later in Leningrad) but she was born in Petrozavodsk because her father was on a long mission there at the time. During the German-Soviet War, Tamara was evacuated from besieged Leningrad to Tashkent for safety. She returned to Leningrad in 1944 and started her gymnastics journey at the Leningrad Young Pioneer Palace the same year. Her graceful and light vaults earned her the nickname Monia the Bird by her groupmates.
Competing as a junior, Tamara Manina won the all-around title at the USSR Nationals in 1953, which made her a candidate for the USSR team. In the same year, she made her debut at the senior USSR Championships and finished 12th in the all-around. From 1953 to 1964, Tamara had a successful career, competing in many national and international events.
One of her most noteworthy performances took place at the 1954 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she excelled and earned several gold medals on the vault, floor, and in the team competition. At the 1956 Olympics, Tamara Manina rivaled strong competitors like Ágnes Keleti and Larisa Latynina and placed 6th in the all-around. However, she did win silver medals on the vault and balance beam, contributing to the team’s gold and bronze medals. The USSR team emerged as the top medalists at the Olympics that year. In an interview, Tamara recounted the warm reception they received throughout the USSR during their journey by train from Vladivostok to Moscow, where people organized meetings and other tributes to honor their visit.
In the event finals of the 1958 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, Tamara Manina won a silver medal on the vault and placed 3rd in the all-around, behind Latynina and Eva Bosáková. Unfortunately, she missed the 1960 Summer Olympics due to an injury but made a comeback at the 1962 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, winning gold as part of the team and earning the bronze on the vault. Despite being 30 years old, she still managed to represent her country at the 1964 Summer Olympics, where she won the team’s gold medal and a silver on the balance beam.
Following her competitive career, Tamara Manina suffered a severe ankle injury during a display competition in Vienna, which prevented her from continuing training. Despite this setback, she remained involved in gymnastics and coaching. In 1975, she coached the French national team and has been an international judge since 1971.
In addition to her achievements in gymnastics, Tamara Manina is known for her scientific contributions. Starting in 1958, she studied at the Leningrad State Institute of Fine Mechanics and Optics, graduating in 1965. She went on to defend a dissertation for the Candidate of Science degree at the Lesgaft State Institute of Physical Culture in 1969. She has since taught at various institutions, sharing her knowledge and expertise.
Awards:
– Gold medals at the 1954 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (vault, floor, team)
– Silver medals at the 1956 Olympics (vault, balance beam)
– Gold medal at the 1964 Summer Olympics (team)
– Gold medal at the 1962 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (team)
– Bronze medal at the 1962 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (vault)
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