Tamara LAZAKOVICH

Tamara Lazakovich took up gymnastics in the early 1960s, when her family had moved to Vitebsk, Belarus. Lazakovich had a short career in the international sporting arena. She won gold at the team event at the 1970 World Championships. In 1971, at the European Championships, Lazakovich won three golds (individual all-around, uneven bars, balance beam) and two silvers (vault and floor exercise). The last international tournament for Lazakovich was the 1972 Olympics, where she won gold in team event, silver in balance beam and bronzes in individual all-around and floor exercise. Lazakovich was also Soviet champion in individual all-around (1971), balance beam (1970) and uneven bars (1971). Lazakovich ended her sporting career shortly after the 1972 Olympics, although only 18-years-old. Her retirement was quite abrupt and no official cause was given although there were rumors that Lazakovich had tried to defect to the West during the Olympics, but had been stopped by agents. After her retirement, Lazakovich worked as a gymnastics coach in her hometown Vitebsk. But she had stated in interviews that the coaching job did not suit her, lacking the patience and consistency to be a good coach. Unhappiness with her life led her to alcoholism, which resulted in several jail sentences. Although Lazakovich frequently sought treatment for her alcoholism, she died from alcohol-related causes at only 38-years-old.