Galina Yermolayeva (cyclist)

Galina Vasilievna Yermolayeva (Russian: Галина Васильевна Ермолаева; born 4 February 1937) is a retired Soviet sprint cyclist who dominated the UCI Track Cycling World Championships of 1958–1973, winning 6 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze medals.[1] Between 1956 and 1973 she also won at least 10 national titles.[2][3]

Galina Yermolayeva
Galina Yermolayeva in 1967
Personal information
Born (1937-02-04) 4 February 1937 (age 87)
Novokhopyorsk, Russia
Sport
SportCycling
ClubTrud, CSKA
Medal record
Representing  Soviet Union
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1958 Paris Individual sprint
Gold medal – first place 1959 Amsterdam Individual sprint
Gold medal – first place 1960 Leipzig Individual sprint
Gold medal – first place 1961 Zürich Individual sprint
Gold medal – first place 1963 Rocourt Individual sprint
Silver medal – second place 1964 Paris Individual sprint
Silver medal – second place 1965 San Sebastián Individual sprint
Bronze medal – third place 1967 Amsterdam Individual sprint
Bronze medal – third place 1968 Rome Individual sprint
Silver medal – second place 1969 Antwerp Individual sprint
Silver medal – second place 1970 Leicester Individual sprint
Silver medal – second place 1971 Varese Individual sprint
Gold medal – first place 1972 Marseille Individual sprint
Bronze medal – third place 1973 San Sebastián Individual sprint

She was born in Novokhopyorsk, but after World War II her family moved to Moscow, where her father worked as a taxi driver. As a teenager she competed at the national level in cross-country skiing but then after a frostbite accident changed to cycling. Later for her cycling achievements she was given a car, a personal gift of Leonid Brezhnev.[2]

She graduated in construction engineer and later married Anatoly Vasiliev (Russian: Анатолий Серге́евич Васильев), changing her last name to Vasilieva.[2]

References

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