Svetlana Boginskaya Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Childhood And Early Life

Former Soviet gymnast Svetlana Boginskaya was born in Minsk, Russia on the 9 February 1973. She was a keen figure skater a young girl and then became interested in gymnastics. She was accepted into the Moscow Round Lake Gymnastics Centre at age eight and began formal training. At the age of fourteen, she was in the Soviet national gymnastics team.

Rise To Stardom

Svetlana Boginskaya won a bronze medal at the 1987 World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands. She was subsequently chosen for the Soviet gymnastics team for the 1988 Olympics Games in Seoul. It was at these games that she won four medals. Two gold, one silver, and bronze. She won Gold in the Gymnastics Team Competition; Gold for the Gymnastics Vault, Silver for Gymnastics Floor Exercises and Bronze for Gymnastics Individual All-round Women.

Career

Svetlana Boginskaya took part in the 1989 World Championships and won three gold medals. And in the European Championships in the same year, she won three gold medals. 

In 1990, she won a gold medal in every event at the European Championships. In 1991, she won two gold medals, for the Balance Beam and the team event. During 1992, she came fifth in the European Championships which was disappointing; she did take home one gold medal for the Balance Beam event with an almost perfect score. At the Barcelona Olympics (1992), she won a gold medal for the team event.

Svetlana Boginskaya retired after the Summer Olympics but in 1995. She came out of retirement, taking part in the 1996 European Championships, winning silver. She then announced her retirement for the second time.

Awards And Achievements

Svetlana Boginskaya participated in three Olympic Games.

Personal Life And Legacy

Svetlana Boginskaya is married to William Yee. They have a daughter, Ania and a son, Brandon.

Later Life

After her retirement from gymnastics, Svetlana Boginskaya started running summer camps for students of gymnastics. She has also been involved in several businesses, including selling a range of gymnast clothing and accessories. She lives in Houston Texas.