Nina Zyuskova took up athletics in high school. Initially a high jumper and sprinter, she later concentrated on the long sprints. The apex of Zyuskova’s career came at the 1980 Olympics, where she won a gold medal with the Soviet 4x400 relay team. She also won silvers in the 4x400 at the 1979 World and European Cup. Zyuskova won Soviet 4x400 titles in 1978-79 and 4x200 titles in 1979-80. Individually her best placement at the Soviet Championships was a silver medal in the 1979 400 metres. While winning the 1979 Soviet 4x200 title, Zyuskova helped set a world record of 1:30.8. After finishing her sports career, Ziuskova worked as a children’s coach in Donetsk, Ukraine. Her son Volodymyr Ziuskov also became an international level athlete, winning long jump gold at the 2005 Universiade and bronze at the 2005 European Indoors.
Personal Best: 400 – 50.17 (1980).
Soviet Union
Ukraine