Today the legendary Soviet athlete, Lydia Skoblikova, the only six-time Olympic champion in the history of speed skating and the absolute champion of the 1964 Olympic Winter Games in Innsbruck, is celebrating her anniversary. The renowned speed skater received warm birthday wishes on her special day from ROC President Stanislav Pozdnyakov:
– On behalf of the Russian Olympic Committee and myself, I personally and wholeheartedly congratulate you on your anniversary!
You are the only six-time Olympic champion in the history of speed skating and the holder of unrivaled sports titles and world records, and still no one has been able to equal you. You are rightly considered a legend of Russian and world sports.
Your incredible victories have become a worthy example and have set the bar so high for many generations of Soviet and Russian skaters. Thanks to you, speed skating in our country has received a powerful incentive for development and has reached excellent levels.
Your social activities related to the development of mass sports and physical education in the regions and the social support of our veterans deserve distinct respect and gratitude.
And, of course, a special, unforgettable page in your brilliant career was the participation in the opening ceremony of the XXII Olympic Winter Games of 2014 in Sochi, which were the best in the history of the modern Olympic movement.
I wish you good health, happiness, well-being and new successes in your various activities for the benefit of national sports!
