Born: 1961 (Voronezh, Russia)
Biography:
Yelena Viktorovna Davydova (Russian: Елена Викторовна Давыдова; born 7 August 1961) is a Russian-Canadian gymnastics coach and judge who competed for the former Soviet Union. She was the women’s artistic individual all-around champion at the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow. Davydova has left a lasting impact on the world of gymnastics through her achievements as an athlete, her dedication as a coach, and her contributions as a judge.
Davydova’s passion for gymnastics began at a young age. Growing up in Voronezh, a city 500 kilometers south of Moscow, she was inspired by watching Soviet Olympic gold medallists Larisa Petrik and Natalia Kuchinskaya on television. At just six years old, Davydova knew that she wanted to become a gymnast. However, she faced an obstacle when she was initially turned away from the Spartak Gymnastics school for not having the right physique.
Fortunately, Davydova’s talent did not go unnoticed. Gennadiy Korshunov, a coach at the school, saw her potential and invited her to join. Despite objections from Yuri Shtukman, the school’s administrator, Davydova was allowed to stay and train under the guidance of Korshunov and his wife, Ina, who was also a gymnastics coach. The decision proved to be the right one, as Davydova quickly emerged as a promising gymnast under their tutelage.
By 1972, Davydova had established herself as the best gymnast in her age group at the school. Her prowess and dedication earned her a spot on the USSR junior squad in 1974. The following year, she finished in 3rd place all-around at the USSR Junior Championships and secured gold medals on vault and bars. With her success, Davydova was promoted to the senior squad, marking another milestone in her gymnastics career.
In March 1976, Davydova made her debut as a senior gymnast, placing second all-around at the USSR Championships. She also won the gold medal on bars and a silver on floor, showcasing her versatility and skill across multiple apparatuses. At the American Cup, Davydova made history as the first woman to perform a side somersault on the beam. Despite her groundbreaking move, she finished in third place all-around.
In the lead-up to the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow, Davydova faced stiff competition for a spot on the Soviet Olympic team. At the USSR Cup, she tied for sixth place all-around and won a bronze medal on vault, narrowly missing out on selection. However, Davydova’s talents could not be denied, and she ultimately secured her place on the team. At the Games, she delivered a flawless performance, earning the title of women’s individual all-around champion and solidifying her place in gymnastics history.
Following her success as an athlete, Davydova transitioned into coaching and judging. She moved to Canada and became the owner and head coach at Gemini Gymnastics in Oshawa, Ontario. Her expertise and dedication led her to be selected as one of the coaches for the Canadian Women’s Artistic Gymnastics Team in 2012. Additionally, Davydova served as the head floor judge at the 2016 Rio Olympics and was elected as a member of the International Gymnastics Federation’s Women Technical Committee in October 2016.
Throughout her career, Yelena Davydova has exemplified excellence in the world of gymnastics. From her early struggles to her triumphs as an athlete, coach, and judge, she has left an indelible mark on the sport. Her contributions to women’s gymnastics and her role as a pioneer have cemented her legacy as one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport.
Awards:
– Gold medal, Women’s Artistic Individual All-Around, 1980 Summer Olympics