Irina Polyakova

Irina Polyakova (born 9 March 1961) is a former Russian female Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete.[1] She has competed at the Winter Paralympics in 1998, 2002, 2006 and in 2010 representing Russia.[2] She was named as one of the most popular women by the BBC in its special multi format series, the 100 Women in 2015.[3]

Irina Polyakova
Personal information
NationalityRussian
Born (1961-03-09) 9 March 1961
Kazan, Soviet Union
ResidenceKazan, Russia
Years active1998-2011
Sport
Country Russia
SportParalympic Nordic skiing (Paralympic biathlon and Paralympic cross-country skiing)
Disability classLW12
Coached byFarida Safiullina
Medal record
Representing  Russia
Women's Paralympic cross-country skiing
Winter Paralympics
Turin 20063 × 2.5 km relay open
Salt Lake City 20023 × 2.5 km relay open

Career

Irina Polyakova took the sport of skiing and biathlon only at the age of 35 which is quite late in her career and got the opportunity to represent Russia at the 1998 Winter Paralympics at the age of 37.[4] She wasn't successful in her maiden Paralympic event as she went medalless before claiming her maiden Paralympic medal, a silver medal in the women's cross-country skiing relay team event at the 2002 Winter Paralympics.[5] Irina also was part of the Russian relay team which claimed gold medal in the women's relay open event in the 2006 Winter Paralympics.

Coaching career

After retiring from international skiing in 2011, she started her coaching career and was successful in coaching few local Russian para skiers including Marta Zaynullina.

References
  1. "Лыжница Зайнуллина: сильных соперников в Сочи будет очень много". kartadostupnosti.ru. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
  2. "Irina Polyakova". m.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
  3. "Who are the BBC's 100 Women of 2015?". BBC News. 2015-11-17. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
  4. "Ирина ПОЛЯКОВА: Четыре Олимпиады – это не предел!". www.vsesmi.ru (in Russian). Retrieved 2018-02-06.
  5. "Solleftea 2013 - History". m.paralympic.org. Retrieved 2018-02-06.
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