Olena Biryuk
Olena Biryuk | |
|---|---|
Олена Василівна Бірюк | |
| Born | 8 October 1932 Malaya Struzhka, Kamenets-Podolsky, Ukrainian SSR |
| Died | 9 September 2021 (aged 88) |
| Nationality |  Soviet Union →  Ukraine |
| Alma mater | National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport |
| Years active | 1954-? |
Olena Vasylivna Biryuk (Ukrainian: Олена Василівна Бірюк; 8 October 1932 – 9 September 2021) was a Soviet and Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast and coach.
Biography
Biryuk was born in the village of Malaya Struzhka, Kamenets-Podolsky region of the Ukrainian SSR. Almost immediately after her birth, the family moved to the Urals.[1]
She studied at the Sverdlovsk Physical Education College at the Labor Reserves School, in 1954 she graduated from the National University of Ukraine on Physical Education and Sport.[2]
She became a four-time champion of the USSR (1956–1958, 1963) and a 12-time champion of the Ukrainian SSR in rhythmic gymnastics.[1] The first Ukrainian gymnast, and one of the first in the USSR, to receive the title of Honored Master of Sports in 1964.[3]
After her retirement she taught at the Department of Physical Education at the Kiev State Institute of Physical Culture (1954–1958); then worked as an associate professor of this university (1958–1993). At the same time, she worked as a coach of the Burevestnik club.[2] She worked as a coach in Italy, Finland and Switzerland for some time.[4] She was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honour and the Medal for Labor Valor.[1]
In the 80s she wrote books on rhythmic gymnastics, "Rhythmic gymnastics: A method" (1981), "Rhythmic gymnastics: Method Recommendations" (1986), and also promoted it on the Ukrainian television.[2] In 2006, she was awarded a scholarship of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.[5]
Biryuk died on 9 September 2021 from coronary artery disease at the age of 88, she is buried in the Southern Cemetery in Kyiv.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d Admin (2023-02-07). "Бирюк (Кучеравлюк) Елена Васильевна | Спорт-страна.ру" (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ a b c Клименко, В. В. (2004-12-12). "Бірюк Олена Василівна". esu.com.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ In the Committee on Physical Culture and Sports // Soviet Sport (newspaper). - July 21, 1956, № 86. - p. 2.
- ^ "Первая из наших королев". СПОРТ.UA (in Russian). Retrieved 2025-07-13.
- ^ "Про призначення стипендії Кабінету Міністрів України видатним спортсменам, тренерам та діячам фізичної культури і спорту | "Дебет-Кредит" - Нормативні документи". docs.dtkt.ua (in Ukrainian). Retrieved 2025-07-13.