The famous figure skater has died on 82-m to year of life. Lyudmila Belousova was raised twice on the top step of the podium. She competed in pair skating with partner Oleg Protopopov.

It became known today that two-time Olympic champion in figure skating Lyudmila Belousova died. The woman was 81 years old. While the causes of sudden death athletes not reported.

Colleague the famous figure skaters in pair skating was Oleg Protopopov. They managed to win the Olympic gold in 1964 when the games were held in Innsbruck, Austria, and the following week were able to repeat the success.

Famous Russian figure skating coach Alexei Mishin announced that he was personally acquainted with the legendary athletes. He noted that the news of the death of Belousova became for it strong blow.

“I was told about her death is a big loss, for me especially, – Misha admitted. – Because I’m a half of his sporting life spent with her and Oleg in one shot. My condolences go out to Oleg and all her fans, fans of figure skating.”

After the triumph at major international competitions Belousova and Protopopov acted as ballet on ice. On tour in Switzerland, the couple asked for political asylum. After that athletes deprived of the honorary title of honored masters of sports. The skaters themselves had explained his action by the fact that abroad they will have more opportunities. Only in 1995 they became a Swiss citizen. Alexei Mishin admitted that he came to visit colleagues.

“I have had them at the rink, staying in their modest apartment. All my life they have dedicated to the accumulation of wealth, and his work, which was – figure skating”, – said the famous coach.

Belousova and Protopopov was one of the first who performed complex elements on the ice. Then some of them became binding on the whole world. Mishin admits that the famous skaters made a huge contribution to the development of this sport.

“Ludmila was an outstanding athlete and person,” admitted Misha reporters TASS.