Marina ANISSINA

Russian-born Marina Anissina was destined to become an athlete. Her mother, Irina Chernyayeva was an Olympic figure skater, and her father, Vyacheslav Anissin, played for the Soviet ice hockey team (among other at the 1972 Summit Series against Canada). Anissina initially competed with Iliya Averbukh, winning two junior world titles. After Averbukh left to skate with his girlfriend, Anissina was unable to find a suitable partner in Russia. She finally teamed up with France’s Gwendal Peizerat, moving to Lyon and assuming French citizenship. They gradually worked their way up the ladder, winning their first international medals in 1998 (bronze at the European Championships and Olympics, silver at the World Championships). They gained their first World and European titles in 2000, and completed their set of medals in Salt Lake City, winning the Olympic gold before closing out their career.