Nina Otkalenko facts for kids

Otkalenko with Vladimir Kuts
Quick facts for kids Personal information
Born	23 May 1928 Kursk Oblast, Russia
Died	13 May 2015 (aged 86) Moscow, Russia
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	400–1500 m
Club	CSKA Moscow
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)	400 m – 55.0 (1955) 800 m – 2:05.0 (1955)
Medal record Representing the  Soviet Union European championships Gold 1954 Bern 800 m

Nina Grigoryevna Otkalenko (born Pletnyova) was an amazing athlete from the Soviet Union. She was a middle-distance runner, which means she ran races like the 800 meters. Nina was born on May 23, 1928, and passed away on May 13, 2015. She became famous for winning a big European championship in 1954. She also broke many world records in the 800-meter race between 1951 and 1954. Sadly, she couldn't compete in the Olympics in 1952 and 1956 because women's middle-distance running wasn't included then. An injury also kept her out of the 1960 Olympics.

Nina Otkalenko: A Record-Breaking Runner

In the 1950s, Nina Otkalenko became a true star in women's 800-meter running. She broke the 800 metres world record five times! Her first world record was 2 minutes and 12 seconds in 1951. She kept getting faster and faster.

Her final world record in the 800 meters was 2 minutes and 5 seconds, set in 1955. This record stood for almost five years! Another Soviet runner, Lyudmila Shevtsova, finally broke it. Nina was considered the best in the world in the 800 meters from 1951 to 1958. Only in 1956 and 1957 did she rank second.

Nina also set world records in other races. She ran the 400 meters in 55.5 seconds in 1954. In 1952, she set a 1500-meter record of 4 minutes and 37 seconds.

Winning Medals and Championships

Besides her European title, Nina won other important medals. She competed at the World Festival of Youth and Students. She won the 800-meter race there twice, in 1953 and 1955. She also earned silver medals in the 400 meters at both of those championships.

Nina was also very successful in her home country. She won an amazing 22 Soviet titles! These wins were in different track and field events and cross country running races.

International Competitions