Its history reflects how the demands of the sports elite could mark the life of an athlete forever. Far from the glory that seemed insured, it crossed a tragic destiny that is still remembered in the world of sport.
Elena Mukhina, the one chosen by the Soviet Union to dethrone Nadia Comaneci
Born in 1960 in MoscowElena Mukhina entered the Soviet sports system when she was just a girl. His ascent was meteoric: With just 18 years old, World Champion of Artistic Gymnastics in Strasbourg had already been consecrated in 1978. Her elegance and precision in each routine made her the great hope of the Soviet Union to overcome Nadia Comaneci, The Romanian star who had made history in Montreal 1976.
Soviet coaches saw the ideal athlete in Mukhina: strong, disciplined and with the ability to execute innovative elements. In its preparation, the objective was clear: to return the supremacy to Soviet artistic gymnastics against the global phenomenon that Comaneci represented.
Despite his talent, the pressure was constant. The training intensified at extreme levels and the margin of error was minimal. She herself, in later interviews, said that the system forced her to continue competing even when she dragged injuries that needed rest. That demand would mark its destiny.
The tragic jump of Thomas that ruined his life
In 1980, a few months after Moscow Olympic GamesMukhina tried to dominate the Thomas jumpan extremely complex acrobatics that combined turns and mortals in the air. It was an unusual element in female artistic gymnastics, and His coaches insisted that he had to execute him to ensure the advantage over Nadia Comaneci and other competitors.
The risk was huge, and Mukhina knew it. Had warned to his environment that did not feel ready to do it safely. However, the pressure of the Soviet coaching staff was stronger. During a training in July 1980, The gymnast fell brutally, suffering a cervical fracture that left her quadriplegic at age 20.
His life changed completely at that moment. It went from being the great promise of artistic gymnastics to depend on constant care. For years, Mukhina said that the excessive demand and lack of care for her health had taken her to that situation. He could never compete again and died in 2006, with just 46 years.
Elena Mukhina’s tragedy marked a before and after in the discipline. Since then, routines were reviewed and high -risk elements such as the Thomas jump In female artistic gymnastics, to prevent another athlete from living a similar destiny.
Source: Ambito
I am Pierce Boyd, a driven and ambitious professional working in the news industry. I have been writing for 24 Hours Worlds for over five years, specializing in sports section coverage. During my tenure at the publication, I have built an impressive portfolio of articles that has earned me a reputation as an experienced journalist and content creator.
