Firova Tatyana Pavlovna (born October 10, 1982, Arzamas-16, now Sarov) is a Russian track and field athlete specializing in the 400 meters and the 4×400 m relay. Honored Master of Sport of the Russian Federation and Honorary Citizen of Sarov (since 2014). A native of Nizhny Novgorod Region, she competed for the Dynamo sports society.[1][2]
Sports career
Firova's first coach was Marina Yuryevna Mochkaeva. She received her higher education in Moscow, graduating from the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport and Tourism.[2]
The main achievement of her career was three Olympic silver medals in the 4×400 m relay, at the Games of 2004 in Athens, 2008 in Beijing, and 2012 in London.[2] At the World Championships Firova became champion twice, in 2005 and 2013, and also won silver twice. She is a two-time European champion (2010).[2] In June 2013 in Gateshead, at the European Team Championships, she brought the Russian team gold in the individual race and silver in the 4×400 m relay; the Russian team took first place with 354.5 points, ahead of Germany (347.5) and Great Britain (338).[3]
By decision of the International Olympic Committee, Firova was stripped of her medals from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games following positive doping results upon re-analysis of her samples.[2]
Awards and honors
She was awarded the medals of the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland", II class (March 16, 2007) and I class (August 13, 2012).[2] On May 29, 2014, Firova was awarded the title of Honorary Citizen of Sarov.[2]
Connection to Nizhny Novgorod Region
Firova was born in Arzamas-16, a closed city renamed Sarov in 1995. She began her athletic career there. The Dynamo Society includes her among the natives of Nizhny Novgorod and the Region.[1] She later moved to Moscow, where she continued her career.[2]
Sources
- dynamo.su — Nizhny Novgorod — official website of the Dynamo Society
- names52.ru — Firova Tatyana Pavlovna
- NNTV — Sarov track and field athlete, three-time Olympic silver medalist Tatyana Firova won gold in Gateshead as part of the Russian national team
- infosport.ru — FIROVA Tatyana Pavlovna — Russian Athletes — Sports Russia