AthleteSoviet1935 – 2017
Ludmila Belousova
Pairs figure skater, two-time Olympic gold medalist, artistic innovator
Biography
A Soviet pairs figure skater who, alongside partner Oleg Protopopov, revolutionized pairs skating with artistic innovation and won Olympic gold medals at the 1964 and 1968 Winter Olympics.
Quick Facts
Category
Athlete
Nationality
Soviet
Born
1935
Died
2017
Thinking about the name
Ludmila
Slavic origin
“Derived from Old Slavic 'lyud' (people) and 'mil' (gracious, dear), Ludmila means 'gracious to the people' or 'beloved by the people.' Saint Ludmila was a Bohemian duchess and grandmother of Saint Wenceslaus, making this a name steeped in medieval Central European nobility and sanctity. It has an aristocratic Slavic grace that feels both regal and warm.”