Lyubov Smolka

Lyubov Smolka (née Ruchkova; Ukrainian: Любовь Смолка-Ручкова; born 29 November 1952) is a Ukrainian former track and field athlete who competed in the 1500 metres for the Soviet Union.[1]

Lyubov Smolka
Medal record
Women's athletics
Representing the  Soviet Union
European Indoor Championships
Bronze medal – third place1981 Grenoble1500 m

Born in Pavlohrad, Ukrainian SSR,[2] she had her breakthrough performance in Moscow in 1980, taking second place in the 1500 m to Tatyana Kazankina, who broke the world record. Smolka was two seconds behind with 3:56.7 minutes, though this was enough to make her the second fastest woman ever at that point.[3][4] Her time, as of 2016, still ranks her within the all-time top thirty athletes for the event.[5]

Smolka ranked third at the Soviet Athletics Championships and was chosen for the 1980 Moscow Olympics as a result.[6] She reached the final at the Moscow Games and placed sixth in the 1500 metres final.[2] That year she also set a best in the 3000 metres with 8:36.0 minutes.[7] Her sole international medal came at the 1981 European Athletics Indoor Championships, where she was bronze medallist in the 1500 m, behind Italy's Agnese Possamai and fellow Soviet Valentina Ilyinykh.[8]

Later in her career, she was fourth in the 3000 m at the 1984 Soviet Championships and runner-up at the 1985 Soviet Championships, but never again competed at a major international championship.[6]

International competitions
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
1980 Olympic Games Moscow, Soviet Union 6th 1500 m 4:01.3
1981 European Indoor Championships Grenoble, France 3rd 1500 m 4:08.64

References
  1. Lyubov Smolka. All-Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  2. Liubov Smolka. Sports Reference. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  3. Track: Russian Shatters World Record. Lakeland Ledger (1980-07-07). Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  4. World Top Performers 1980-2005: Women (Outdoor). GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  5. Senior Outdoor 1500 Metres women All Time Best. IAAF. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  6. Lyubov Smolka. Association of Road Racing Statisticians. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  7. Lyubov Smolka. Track and Field Brinkster. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
  8. European Indoor Championships. GBR Athletics. Retrieved on 2016-05-29.
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