Irina Privalova

Who is Irina Privalova?

Irina Anatoljewna Privalova is a Russian athlete.

She first competed in the sprint events, winning two Olympic medals in the 100 m and 200 m in 1992 whilst representing the Unified Team. Irina Privalova had been a formidable competitor during most of the 1990s but had not yet won an outdoor world championship gold medal. In 2000, she gambled successfully and switched to the 400 m hurdles discipline winning the Olympic title in Sydney 2000 in 53.02 s and a bronze in the 4 x 400 m relay team for Russia. It has been suggested that this change at the late age of 31 was because her chances of defeating Marion Jones was slim and the 400 m also being a repeat showdown between Marie-José Pérec and Cathy Freeman from the 1996 Atlanta Games.

Irina Privalova is currently the world indoor record holder in the 50 m, 60 m sprints. She has also been the world indoor champion at the 60 m, 200 m, and 400 m events.

Privalova is still running, achieving her best time in the 100 m for nine years in 2008.