Galina Alexeyevna Kulakova (, born 29 April 1942) is a Soviet-Russian former cross-country skier, arguably the best skier on distances shorter than 10 km in the early 1970s. She won four Olympic golds, two individual in 1972 and two relay golds in 1972 and 1976. She was the most successful athlete at the 1972 Winter Olympics, along with Ard Schenk of the Netherlands. Competing in the World Championships, she won three individual golds, two in 1974 and one in 1970, and also two relay golds in those years. Kulakova also won the 10 km event at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 1970 and 1979. Galina Kulakova was also 39 times Champion of the USSR between 1969 and 1981.
For her achievements she was awarded the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Badge of Honour. She was also awarded the silver Olympic Order in 1984 by the International Olympic Committee President Juan Antonio Samaranch. Galina Kulakova ended her sports career in 1982.
Drug controversy At the 1976 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck, Kulakova finished third in the 5 km event, but was disqualified due to a positive test for banned substance ephedrine. She claimed that this was a result of using the nasal spray that contained the substance. Both the International Ski Federation and the International Olympic Committee allowed her to compete in the 10 km and the 4 × 5 km relay.
Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).
Olympic Games 8 medals – (4 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) Year Age 5 km 10 km 3/4 × 5 km relay 1968 25 Silver 6 Bronze 1972 29 Gold Gold Gold 1976 33 Bronze Gold 1980 37 6 5 Silver
World Championships 10 medals – (5 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze) Year Age 5 km 10 km 20 km 3/4 × 5 km relay 1970 27 Gold Bronze Gold 1974 31 Gold Gold Gold 1978 35 4 4 Silver Bronze 1980 37 Silver 1982 39 13 10 5 Silver
World Cup Season standings Season Age Overall 1982 39 22
Team podiums 1 podium
No Season Date Location Race Level Place Teammates1 1981–82 24 February 1982 Oslo, Norway 4 × 5 km Relay World Championships 2nd Lyadova / Zabolotskaya / Smetanina
Note: Until the 1999 World Championships, World Championship races were included in the World Cup scoring system.
See also List of multiple Olympic gold medalists List of multiple Winter Olympic medalists
References
External links
Holmenkollen winners since 1892 – click Vinnere for downloadable pdf file