Achievements

Medals Total

• Olympics: 4 Gold, 2 Silver
• World Championships: 2 Gold, 3 Silver
• European Championships: 1 Silver

This Belarusian gymnast almost singlehandedly turned women's gymnastics into the popular sport it is today.

1972: Munich Olympic Games

Won 4 medals at Olympics: 3 Gold, 1 Silver.

Awards in 1972

• Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year
• ABC Sports recognized Olga as the Athlete of the Year

Awards in 1973

• Top Athlete of the Year in the USA

Awards in 1974

• Named by BBC “Top Athlete of the Year" in England

Awards in 1975

• Rewarded with the “Golden Tuning Fork” and named the Woman of the Year in San Remo, Monaco by Unesko
• Women’s Sports Foundation selected her “Athlete of the Year”
• Named: Mother of Gymnastics

1976

Olga Korbut competed in the World Championships. Won 5 medals: 2 Gold, 3 Silver.

Montreal Olympic Games: Won 2 medals at Olympics: 1 Gold, 1 Silver.

Later Recognitions

• 1991: Moved to the USA and began teaching gymnastics to Americans.
• 1994: Named a Sport Illustrated 40th Anniversary Honoree.
• 2001: Featured in the Sport Illustrated July issue for their special edition on sport figures who made a difference in sports and where they are now.
• 2001: Interviewed on CNN the day the IOC named the host city for 2008 Olympics.

13 books in different countries

Over 450,000 magazines and newspapers in all countries in 1972.

Olga Korbut captured the heart of the World with her performance at the Munich Olympics. In doing so, she introduced the sport of gymnastics to hundreds of thousands of young girls across the United States. Following the Olympics, Olga extensively toured this country with her fellow teammates, mesmerizing all that were fortunate enough to see her in person.

Findling, John E. and Pelle, Kimberly D. (1996). Historical Dictionary of the Modern Olympic Movement. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press.

Johnson, Anne Janette (1996). Great Women in Sports. Detroit, MI: Visible Ink Press.

Markel, Robert, exec. ed. (1997). The Women's Sports Encyclopedia. New York: Henry Holt and Company, Inc.

Suponev, Michael (1975). Olga Korbut: A Biographical Portrait. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc.

Woolum, Janet (1992). Outstanding Women Athletes: Who They Are and How They Influenced Sports in America. Phoenix, AZ: Oryx Press.