Sports Illustrated:
… Her name is so unknown that American journalists are divided on how to spell it. Olympic buffs know little about her outside of statistical accomplishments — three Olympic Games, 18 medals, nine of them gold. …
That is likely to change as Bob Costas and NBC’s swimming crew will surely mention Larisa (or Larissa or Larysa) Latynina on prime-time broadcasts throughout the first few days of the London Olympics and especially on July 31, the likely date Michael Phelps will win his 19th career Olympic medal, breaking the record set by the balletic Soviet gymnast 48 years ago. …
She’s met Phelps. And hopes to be on hand to celebrate him breaking her record. If he does.
Aunt Joyce recommended this interview. It’s got some fascinating historical insights:
… She then competed at the 1958 world championships in Moscow while four months pregnant. She didn’t tell a soul she was expecting, fearful she would be forced to sit out.
“How did it affect my performance?” Latynina asked. “Well, as one could tell I did OK,” she said, smiling. “I won.” …
read more on SI – With her all-time record set to fall, little-known Latynina looks back
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