“Protopopov is a grandiose man, with whom the victories of the Russian school of figure skating began” – Tarasova

Two-time Olympic champion in pair figure skating Oleg Protopopov was a great man with whom the victories of the Russian school of figure skating began, the honored coach of the USSR told . Tatyana Tarasova .

On Friday, Skating Lesson announced on Facebook* that Protopopov had died at the age of 91. The information has not been officially confirmed. Protopopov performed in tandem with his wife Lyudmila Belousova. The duo won the USSR championships six times, the world and European championships four times, and won gold at the 1964 and 1968 Olympic Games.

“I was just thinking about Oleg yesterday. It’s a very sad story, a great loss for our figure skating. Protopopov is a great athlete, he is ours, one of the geniuses of our sport. Lyudmila Belousova died six years ago. I was on very good terms with them. I am really sorry.

Protopopov is a grandiose man with whom the victories of the Russian school of figure skating began. He created an unforgettable style. It’s unlikely we’ll remember another couple this long. Protopopov and Belousova were real pioneers and stars. It’s a shame! We thank them very much for the fact that they left huge memories and marks in our souls. Because it was thanks to them that figure skating entered our souls and began to live there. They were so unique and unique in the world,” Tarasova told .

Belousova died in September 2017.

* The activities of Meta* (social networks Facebook* and Instagram*) are banned in Russia as extremist.