MOSCOW, October 24, Vasily Bogdanov. Three-time Olympic champion Anfisa Reztsova went down in the history of world skiing and biathlon, said Elena Vyalbe, President of the Russian Ski Federation (RFSR), at the farewell ceremony for the former athlete.
Reztsova passed away on October 19 at the age of 58. On Tuesday, a farewell ceremony for the Olympic champion is taking place in the large ritual hall of the Troekurovsky cemetery in Moscow.
“»When I joined the team, I was younger, so for Anfisa I was simply “Lena.” She will forever be remembered for her enthusiasm, her smile, her audacity. Anfisa went down in the history not only of our skiing and biathlon, but also of the world. She left behind wonderful children. I want you to carry this flag that Anfisa Reztsova raised very high with honor and dignity. They said correctly, a person is alive as long as he is alive in our memory. The kingdom of heaven to you, and forgive me for everything that happened not like that,” Vyalbe said.
Two-time Olympic champion in biathlon Svetlana Ishmuratova noted the uniqueness of Reztsova. «Even now she has brought us all together. She is a sports person, a legend, a wonderful athlete of ours. I was always amazed how one can experience both successes and losses in such a way. It seems as if she has never experienced them. Nowadays there are few such athletes, unfortunately. I want , so that in memory she remains perky, strong and never discouraged,” said the ex-biathlete.
Reztsova won gold at the 1988 Olympic Games in Calgary in the ski relay as part of the USSR team, and also won silver in the 20 km race. In the 1990/91 season, she switched to biathlon and won gold medals at the Olympic Games in Albertville (1992) and Lillehammer (1994). She also became the world champion in cross-country skiing three times (1985, 1987, 1999).