The scandalous Larissa Lazutina is an honorary citizen of Karelia – This is how the 60-year-old legend influences Russia
The five-time Olympic gold medalist was named a Hero of Russia, after which he was caught doping.
Skier Larisa Lazutina, born in Kontupohja, Karelia, turned 60 last Saturday.
The skier was a member of the Soviet and Russian national teams from 1984 to 2002.
Lazutina was the most successful athlete at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, winning medals in all five ski events. President Boris Yeltsin awarded her the title of Hero of Russia.
After the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Lazutina was accused of doping.
She won the 30-kilometer race at the time, but in post-race tests, Lazutina and Olga Danilova were caught using the hormone darbepoetin.
Lazutina later tested positive for doping earlier in the season. She lost the two other medals she had already won from the Games and her World Cup ranking for the season.
Despite his injury, the skier won a total of five Olympic gold medals, one silver, and one bronze during his career. 11 World Championship gold medals, one silver, and two bronze medals.
After her sports career, Lazutina has been active in Russian politics. She currently serves as the first deputy chairman of the Moscow Region Duma, among other things.
Lazutina has also been named an honorary citizen of Karelia.
Sources: Sovsport, Calend.ru, Olympics.com
