In 1981, the FIG adjusted the minimum age for the sport--from 14 by year's end to 15. This was potentially trouble for the Soviets, with three of their top gymnasts now too young. European medalists Alla Misnik and Natalia Ilienko were both born in 1967, making them not eligible for Worlds. (Ilienko would compete anyway, in a circumstance often forgotten.)
Then there was little Olga Bicherova.
While the actual birth years of nearly all underage athletes have come out over time, Olga's is still a mystery. Her official documents stated she was born in October 1966, making her 15 immediately prior to the start of 81 Worlds--in her hometown of Moscow. That almost certainly isn't true, and her actual birth year remains the fodder of speculation.
Her age being falsified one year makes the most sense, but allegedly at a meet earlier in 1981, she was introduced as a 12-year-old. This would have made her freshly 13 when she won her AA title.
Alongside the age controversy, Olga was initially chosen as an alternate for the 1981 Soviet World Team--following a disastrous showing at Europeans. Despite this, she found herself in the competition line-up at the last minute. She performed well in qualifications and was able to advance to the AA Final, mostly thanks to the Optional Implosion of teammate Natalia Ilienko--who had won Compulsories and was a favorite for the Title.
During the AA Olga hit four for four, while reigning Olympic AA Champion (and leader going into Finals) Yelena Davydova fell on her beam dismount in the first rotation. The door was wide open for Olga to waltz through.
And she showed her mettle by doing just that, and winning her sole individual World medal. (She also qualified to Finals on her weakest event, bars, but finished last.)
Nineteen months later, Olga went on to show Worlds was no fluke by winning the European AA gold medal.
She then made her second consecutive Soviet World Team in 1983, albeit in a more supporting role. (I absolutely would have put her in AA Final over Tatiana Frolova though. See, the Soviets didn't always "cheat" 😂.)
26 авг 2024
