Born: 1937 (Kharkov, Ukraine)
Biography:
Tamara Natanovna Press was a Soviet athlete who dominated the shot put and discus throw in the early 1960s. Born on May 10, 1937, in Kharkov, Tamara faced early adversity when her father tragically died fighting in World War II in 1942. Her mother, determined to provide a better life for her daughters, took Tamara and her sister Irina to Samarkand, where their athletic journey began.
In 1955, Tamara moved to Leningrad to train under the renowned coach Viktor Alekseyev. Her dedication and talent quickly caught the attention of the athletic world, and the following year, she was shortlisted for the Olympic team. Unfortunately, due to fierce competition in the throwing events, Tamara was ultimately cut from the team.
Undeterred, Tamara continued to train relentlessly, and her perseverance paid off. At the 1960 Olympics held in Rome, she won her first gold medal in the shot put event, marking the beginning of her reign in the world of athletics. She also clinched a silver medal in the discus throw.
Tamara’s success continued in the following years. From 1959 to 1965, she set an impressive total of 11 world records – five in the shot put and six in the discus. She further solidified her dominance by winning three gold medals at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo, in both the shot put and the discus throw. Her exceptional performance earned her the title of Olympic champion.
Beyond the Olympic stage, Tamara also excelled at the European level. From 1958 to 1962, she secured three European titles, showcasing her remarkable consistency and skill.
Throughout her career, Tamara Press achieved remarkable success domestically as well. She held an astounding total of 16 national titles, with nine in the shot put from 1958 to 1966 and seven in the discus throw from 1960 to 1966.
Tamara retired from athletics in 1966 along with her sister Irina, just before sex verification became a mandatory requirement. Despite their incredible achievements, both sisters faced unfounded rumors and accusations of being secretly male or intersex. However, historical records from wartime Soviet evacuation documents in 1942 have documented Tamara Press as a girl at the age of five, dismissing these baseless claims.
Following her retirement, Tamara pursued a career as an athletics coach and official in Moscow. She also delved into writing, authoring several books on sports, social issues, and economics. In recognition of her contributions to athletics and society, Tamara was awarded the Order of Lenin in 1960, the Order of the Badge of Honour in 1964, and the Order of Friendship in 1997.
Tamara Press’s legacy extends far beyond her athletic achievements. Her determination, resilience, and unwavering dedication continue to inspire future generations of athletes, particularly women. She remains an icon in women’s history, proudly representing the extraordinary strength and capabilities of female athletes.
Awards:
– Olympic Gold Medal (Shot Put) – 1960
– Olympic Silver Medal (Discus Throw) – 1960
– Olympic Gold Medal (Shot Put) – 1964
– Olympic Gold Medal (Discus Throw) – 1964
– Olympic Gold Medal (Shot Put) – 1964
– European Gold Medal (Shot Put) – 1958
– European Gold Medal (Discus Throw) – 1958
– European Gold Medal (Discus Throw) – 1962
– Order of Lenin – 1960
– Order of the Badge of Honour – 1964
– Order of Friendship – 1997