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Lyubov Smolka

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Ukrainian former track and field athlete (born 1952)

Lyubov Smolka
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing the  Soviet Union
European Indoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place 1981 Grenoble 1500 m

Lyubov Smolka (née Ruchkova; Ukrainian: Любовь Смолка-Ручкова; born 29 November 1952) is a Ukrainian former track and field athlete who competed in the 1500 metres for the Soviet Union.

Born in Pavlohrad, Ukrainian SSR, she had her breakthrough performance in Moscow in 1980, taking second place in the 1500 m to Tatyana Kazankina, who broke the world record. Smolka was two seconds behind with 3:56.7 minutes, though this was enough to make her the second fastest woman ever at that point. Her time, as of 2016, still ranks her within the all-time top thirty athletes for the event.

Smolka ranked third at the Soviet Athletics Championships and was chosen for the 1980 Moscow Olympics as a result. She reached the final at the Moscow Games and placed sixth in the 1500 metres final. That year she also set a best in the 3000 metres with 8:36.0 minutes. Her sole international medal came at the 1981 European Athletics Indoor Championships, where she was bronze medallist in the 1500 m, behind Italy's Agnese Possamai and fellow Soviet Valentina Ilyinykh.

Later in her career, she was fourth in the 3000 m at the 1984 Soviet Championships and runner-up at the 1985 Soviet Championships, but never again competed at a major international championship.

International competitions

Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
1980 Olympic Games Moscow, Soviet Union 6th 1500 m 4:01.3
1981 European Indoor Championships Grenoble, France 3rd 1500 m 4:08.64

References

  1. Lyubov Smolka. All-Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  2. ^ Liubov Smolka. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  3. Track: Russian Shatters World Record. Lakeland Ledger (1980-07-07). Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  4. World Top Performers 1980-2005: Women (Outdoor). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  5. Senior Outdoor 1500 Metres women All Time Best. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  6. ^ Lyubov Smolka. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  7. Lyubov Smolka. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  8. European Indoor Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.

External links

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