Russian middle-distance runner who won gold at the 2012 London Olympics, but was later stripped of her title due to a doping scandal.
Yuliya Mikhailovna Zaripova, a Russian former middle-distance runner, is best known for her exceptional skill in the 3000 meters steeplechase event. Her remarkable career was marked by numerous awards and accolades, including gold medals at the 2010 European Athletics Championships and the 2012 Summer Olympics, before being marred by doping charges and subsequent disqualification.
Zaripova's rise to fame began in 2008, when she won the bronze medal and silver team medal with Russia in the women's under-23 race at the European Cross Country Championships. The following year, she became the Russian indoor champion in the 3000 meters and took part in the women's 3000 m at the 2009 European Athletics Indoor Championships, finishing in seventh place.
In 2010, Zaripova won at the European Team Championships, setting a championship record, and also competed on the IAAF Diamond League circuit, winning at the DN Galan. She closed her season with a win at the 2010 IAAF Continental Cup in a championship record time.
In 2015, the IOC announced that Zaripova was sanctioned for an anti-doping rule violation based on abnormal parameters of the athlete's haematological profiles. As a result, her gold medal in the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2012 Summer Olympics was revoked, and she was subsequently disqualified from all competitions.
Yuliya Zaripova was born on April 26, 1986, in Svetly Yar, Volgograd Oblast, Russia. She has been married and divorced, and has used the surname Ivanova and Zarudneva in the past.
Zaripova's story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of doping in sports. Despite her incredible talent and numerous achievements, her career was ultimately marred by her involvement in illegal performance-enhancing activities. Her legacy serves as a reminder of the importance of fair play and clean competition in athletics.
Zaripova's case also highlights the importance of robust anti-doping measures and the need for athletes to take responsibility for their actions. Her story is a reminder that success can be fleeting, and that the consequences of cheating can be severe and long-lasting.
43 Years Old
A Russian pole vaulter who dominated the sport, winning numerous Olympic and World Championship titles, and setting multiple world records. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest pole vaulters of all time.
46 Years Old
Russian sprint athlete known for winning multiple World Championship medals and setting national records in the 400 meters and 4x400 meters relay events.
44 Years Old
Russian sprinter and hurdler who won multiple Olympic and World Championship medals, setting multiple world records in the 400m hurdles.