Natalia Ilienko
From Kazakhstan Encyclopedia
Natalia Ilienko (born March 26, 1967 in Alma Ata, Kazakh SSR ) is a Soviet gymnast. Her biggest accomplishment was becoming world floor champion in 1981. She was praised for her highly expressive and fluid performances.[1]
Ilienko competed at the 1980 Junior European Championships, finishing 6th all around, and the 1981 European Championships, finishing 4th all around, before being selected for the world championships team in 1981. Although she only finished 10th all around at the Soviet Championships, her first and second-place finishes on beam at the Soviet and European Championships allowed her to make the team. She qualified 6th to the all around finals, but was not allowed to compete because five of her teammates had qualified ahead of her.[2]
Ilienko was selected for both the 1983 World Championships team and the 1984 Olympic Team. When the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics, she competed at the alternate games Friendship Games in Olomouc. Her performances in the team competition left her out of the all around as the fourth Soviet gymnast.
References
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