Yelena Romanova

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexFemale
Full nameYelena Nikolayevna•Romanova (Malykhina-)
Used nameYelena•Romanova
Original nameЕлена Николаевна•Романова (Малыхина-)
Born20 March 1963 in Verkhnekumsky, Volgograd (RUS)
Died28 January 2007 in Volgograd, Volgograd (RUS)
Measurements163 cm / 51 kg
AffiliationsSA Volgograd/Volgograd VS
NOC Russian Federation Soviet Union Unified Team
Nationality Russian Federation
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

Yelena Romanova was one of the world’s top female distance runners in the early 1990s. After finishing fifth at the 1987 World Championships in the 3K and fourth at the 1988 Olympics, Romanova won her first international individual medal in 1990, placing third at the International Cross-Country Championships in the 6 km race, also winning team golds in that event in 1988-90. In 1990 she won a silver medal in the 3K at the Goodwill Games, and won the European title in the 10K, adding a 3K silver. At the 1991 World Championships, Romanova won silver behind compatriot Tatyana Dorovskikh in the 3,000. At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, the roles were reversed, and Romanova beat Dorovskikh for the 3K gold. In 1994 Romanova won both the 3,000 and 5,000 at the Goodwill Games. She last competed internationally at the 1996 Olympics, where she was sixth in the 5K. Romanova won the 1986 Soviet 3,000 title and the 1993 Russian 3,000 title. Romanova later worked as a gym teacher at a Volgograd school, also training some top Russian runners. She died suddenly, of unknown causes, at age 43.

Personal Bests: 3000 – 8:30.45 (1988); 5000 – 14:59.70 (1991).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1988 Summer Olympics Athletics URS RUS Yelena Romanova
3,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 4
1992 Summer Olympics Athletics EUN RUS Yelena Romanova
3,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 1 Gold
1996 Summer Olympics Athletics RUS Yelena Romanova
5,000 metres, Women (Olympic) 6

Special Notes