Lyubov Rusanova

After Halyna Prozumenshchykova-Stepanova and Svetlana Babanina, Lyubov Rusanova was the next top Soviet female breaststroke swimmer. Rusanova first competed internationally in 1973 at the Universiade, winning the 100 breaststroke, and then at the World Championships, where she won silver in the 200 breaststroke. Rusanova next competed at the 1974 European Championships and 1975 World Championships, but did not medal, placing fifth in the 100 breaststroke in 1974 and also fifth in both the 100 and 200 breaststroke in 1975. Rusanova’s competed at the 1976 Olympics, where she won silver in the 100 breaststroke and bronze in the 200 breast. She retired in 1977 after winning a silver medal in the 4x100 medley relay at the Universiade. Domestically Rusanova won three Soviet titles – in 1973 and 1975 in the 100 breaststroke and in 1975 in the medley relay. Rusanova later worked as a swimming coach.

Personal Best: 100 m breaststroke – 1:13.04 (1976); 200 m breaststroke – 2:36.22 (1976).