Elena Grosheva
Encyclopedia
Yelena Nikolayevna Grosheva ' onMouseout='HidePop("99718")' href="/topics/Yaroslavl">Yaroslavl
, Russia
) is a Russia
n gymnast.
At the age of 5 she took up gymnastics and showed a natural talent for the sport. Then in 1992, she was sent to Round Lake to train as part of the National Team. Her first big competition was the 1994 Junior European Championships and later the same year she went to the World Championships
.
In 1996, Grosheva finished second All Around in the Russian Cup and became a member of the Olympic team. At the Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Russian team was in the lead after the compulsories, but in the finals she and her teammates had to compete against the noise from the American crowds and finished second behind the Americans. She placed into Vault Event Finals, but finished a disappointing 7th. Her Floor Exercise scores had placed her highest among the Russians for Event Finals, but she was replaced by teammate Dina Kochetkova.
After being hampered by injuries Grosheva retired from the sport and joined Cirque du Soleil
. In June 2006 Grosheva married Canadian composer Steve Barakatt
. Guests at the wedding included her former teammates Svetlana Khorkina
and Ludmila Ezhova
.
In March 2007, Grosheva was appointed UNICEF Canada Goodwill Ambassador.
Yaroslavl
Yaroslavl is a city and the administrative center of Yaroslavl Oblast, Russia, located northeast of Moscow. The historical part of the city, a World Heritage Site, is located at the confluence of the Volga and the Kotorosl Rivers. It is one of the Golden Ring cities, a group of historic cities...
, Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
) is a Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n gymnast.
At the age of 5 she took up gymnastics and showed a natural talent for the sport. Then in 1992, she was sent to Round Lake to train as part of the National Team. Her first big competition was the 1994 Junior European Championships and later the same year she went to the World Championships
World Gymnastics Championships
The Fédération Internationale de Gymnastique organises World Gymnastics Championships for each of the gymnastic disciplines:...
.
In 1996, Grosheva finished second All Around in the Russian Cup and became a member of the Olympic team. At the Olympic Games in Atlanta, the Russian team was in the lead after the compulsories, but in the finals she and her teammates had to compete against the noise from the American crowds and finished second behind the Americans. She placed into Vault Event Finals, but finished a disappointing 7th. Her Floor Exercise scores had placed her highest among the Russians for Event Finals, but she was replaced by teammate Dina Kochetkova.
After being hampered by injuries Grosheva retired from the sport and joined Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil
Cirque du Soleil , is a Canadian entertainment company, self-described as a "dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment." Based in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, and located in the inner-city area of Saint-Michel, it was founded in Baie-Saint-Paul in 1984 by two former street performers, Guy...
. In June 2006 Grosheva married Canadian composer Steve Barakatt
Steve Barakatt
Steve Barakatt is a Canadian composer, music producer, pianist, and singer. When he was only four, he fell under the spell of music and began piano lessons...
. Guests at the wedding included her former teammates Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Khorkina
Svetlana Vasilyevna Khorkina is a popular Russian gymnast and seven-time Olympic medalist, who is now a deputy at the Russian State Duma. With an unprecedented nine gold, eight silver, and three bronze World Championships medals, she is one of the most successful female gymnasts of her era and has...
and Ludmila Ezhova
Ludmila Ezhova
Ludmila Ezhova Grebenkova, , born 4 March 1982, is a Russian gymnast of olympic calibre.A mainstay of the Russian team from the late 1990s to the mid 2000s, she helped her team to a Silver Medal at the 2001 World Championships and to a Bronze Medal at the 2004 Summer Olympics...
.
In March 2007, Grosheva was appointed UNICEF Canada Goodwill Ambassador.