14 Facts About Galina Prozumenshchikova

Galina Prozumenshchikova won five Olympic medals in 1964,1968 and 1972 and five European Championships medals in 1966 and 1970.

Galina Prozumenshchikova married twice and therefore changed her last name first to Stepanova and then to Ivannikova.

Galina Prozumenshchikova's father, Nikolai Nikolayevich was a submarine captain.

Galina Prozumenshchikova's mother, Sofia Petrovna was a nurse and took part in World War II.

Galina Prozumenshchikova started swimming in a club in 1959 and until 1966 competed for SKF Sevastopol.

Galina Prozumenshchikova had a strong rival, Svetlana Babanina, who set a world record in the 100 m breaststroke before the 1964 Olympics.

Nevertheless, Galina Prozumenshchikova won the 200 m event, setting a new Olympic record and winning the first Soviet Olympic gold in swimming.

In 1966, Galina Prozumenshchikova enrolled in the faculty of journalism of the Moscow State University and moved to Moscow.

Galina Prozumenshchikova settled for silver in the 100 m event and bronze in the 200 m breaststroke.

In 1969, Galina Prozumenshchikova gave birth to a daughter, Irina, and was on the verge of retiring.

Galina Prozumenshchikova graduated from MSU in 1976 and was writing sports columns for the major newspaper Izvestia.

Galina Prozumenshchikova died aged 66 in Moscow on 19 July 2015 after a long illness, according to the Russian Swimming Federation.

In 2013, two years before her death, Galina Prozumenshchikova was recognized as one of the "100 Greatest Swimmers in History" in a book by swim journalist John Lohn.

Galina Prozumenshchikova ranked at number 60 in the book, which highlighted her Olympic and European medals and prowess in setting new world records.