Ludmilla Belousova has passed away (threads merged)

[floskate]

AP reporting via Russian media. Apparently Moskvina and Mishin have confirmed the news. She was 81.

RIP Ludmilla. What a wonderful skater
she was. Oleg must be utterly bereft

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...-Olympic-skating-champion-Belousova-dies.html

 

[Sylvia]

Russian article (cited by AP): https://rsport.ria.ru/figure_skating/20170929/1126476828.html

Associated Press article: Reports: Two-time Olympic skating champion Belousova dies

Russian news reports say Ludmila Belousova, a two-time Olympic champion in pairs figure skating, has died. She was 81.

The state R-Sport news agency said her death was confirmed Friday by prominent skating coaches Alexei Mishin and Tamara Moskvina. There was no immediate information on the cause or where she died.

{{{ Oleg Protopopov }}}

 

[SmallFairy]

AP reporting via Russian media. Apparently Moskvina and Mishin have confirmed the news. She was 81.

RIP Ludmilla. What a wonderful skater
she was. Oleg must be utterly bereft

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/ap...-Olympic-skating-champion-Belousova-dies.html

RIP Ludmila

What a truly magical pair you and Oleg were! Legends of sport, and continuing skating and being involved in skating for so long. Thank you!

 

[floskate]

I see Sylvia has posted also. Mods please merge.

 

[SamuraiK]

Way before my time but any skating fan should take a moment and watch some of their performances to appreciate how the sport has developed thanks to them.

RIP Ludmila, you are one of the greatest.

 

[floskate]

Here she is at her glorious best skating in front of a home crowd at the 1965 Europeans. One of their greatest ever performances.

https://youtu.be/fupth8ZC1Hc

 

[UMBS Go Blue]

She and Oleg Protopopov were the stars of Evening with Champions at Harvard for so many years. They brought the house down every time (even executing lifts), stayed in smokin' hot shape for so long, and could still execute their "love" spiral like nobody else. RIP.

 

[AYS]

Loss of a great champion and icon of the sport.

 

[kwanfan1818]

She's still my favorite Pairs skater of all time.

May her memory be a blessing.

 

[nikjil]

Here she is at her glorious best skating in front of a home crowd at the 1965 Europeans. One of their greatest ever performances.

https://youtu.be/fupth8ZC1Hc

This should be required watching for all pairs teams. No team today has this kind of unison.

 

[bardtoob]

{{Heartbreak}}

I remember her for being so personable and kind worded in her public statements and for holding that amazing arabesque position as Oleg held her hand and twirled her around.

 

[BittyBug]

Truly a legend of the sport. May she rest in peace.

 

[skatesindreams]

Ave Maria
In Loving Memory:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtkDi7M0_yA&list=RDNtkDi7M0_yA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtkDi7M0_yA&t=29s

My heart aches.

 

[Tinami Amori]

I am glad B/P were given some recognition in Russia towards the end, and were invited as honor-guests @ Sochi 2014 after all.

The Russian Team: http://www.smsport.ru/image/figkat/belousova/n1/protopopov8919.jpg

http://e-kurier.info/uploaded/image/2014YEAR/KURIER41/11_1.jpg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Mw2PQ4Jzsk

 

[bardtoob]

I am glad B/P were given some recognition in Russia towards the end, and were invited as honor-guests @ Sochi 2014...

The Russian Team: http://www.smsport.ru/image/figkat/belousova/n1/protopopov8919.jpg

Look at Ludmilla's outstretched hand and the position of her head. Even with age, there is no mistaking that she was trained to do something special.

 

[Garden Kitty]

I recall being in Lake Placid one year and I was showing my parents around the skating complex. We entered the older rink and Oleg and Ludmilla were alone on the ice practicing. Even without music or a crowd, they were just magical. Eventually some other tourists came in and stood next to us and after a minute or so said " not bad for an old couple". They were a bit surprised when I mentioned the couple were two time Olympic champions.

 

[bardtoob]

Belousova and Protopopov - The Swan

Belousova and Protopopov - Moonlight Sonata

Belousova and Protopopov - Meditations from Thais

Belousova and Protopopov - Elegie

Belousova and Protopopov - Nocturn

Belousova and Protopopov - Ave Maria

Belousova and Protopopov - {{I'm guessing something Rachmaninoff}}

Belousova and Protopopov - Paganini VOID BEYOND VOID

 

[skatesindreams]

More incomparable skating.

1984 - World Pro AP "Dying Swan"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=amlhlyKN9QE&list=PLTcGQNvzKqJKCFP_E8pBdJJSofZBGtqJP
1985 - World Pro TP "Nocturne" - Commentary by JoJo Starbuck
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtkDi7M0_yA&t=29s
1985 - World Pro AP "Moonlight Sonata" - Commentary by Toller Cranston
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qky5kw67nX4

 

[Vash01]

So sorry to read this news! Ludmilla and Oleg transformed pairs skating into a divine art form. May she Rest In Peace.

(((Oleg Protopopov))) My deepest condolences to you and your family.

 

[Debbie S]

The skating world has lost one of the greats. RIP.

(((Oleg)))

Aside from their incredible achievements in their competitive careers, Ludmila and Oleg were an inspiration in the way they stayed active and skated (beautifully) in their older years. They are legendary in the adult skating world as well.

 

[Finnice]

My condoleces to Oleg and family.
My endless gratitude of all that they contributed to the sport we love.
I eyewittnessd them congratulating Volosozhar and Trankov after they wan the Oly gold in Sotchi. What a historical moment.

 

[Spiralgraph]

What sad news. The Protopopovs are icons as pair skaters. I watch their pro programs for inspiration and marvel at their "oneness" May she rest in peace.

 

[Aussie Willy]

Oh No. Her and Oleg were so amazing and beautiful skaters. Very sad to hear.

 

[Cherub721]

Their Dying Swan is one of my favorite pairs programs. RIP.

 

[skatesindreams]

It's upthread,

 

[skatingfan5]

So sad to learn of Ludmilla's death. The Protopopovs were so much to the world of figure skating -- icons seems faint praise. Condolences to Oleg and all family and friends. May she rest in peace.

 

[overedge]

Ludmilla and Oleg were also advocates on behalf of many of the former USSR skaters, when the USSR broke up and some of those skaters no longer had a country to compete for. They did a lot for skaters as well as for the sport.

 

[LilJen]

Ohhhhhhh. . . . what a terrible loss. Will never forget the many, MANY years they skated for the hospital benefit for Harvard and their beautiful unison. Blessings to Oleg.

 

[floskate]

Uploaded in Ludmilla's memory, here are their exhibitions from the 1969 Europeans in Garmisch Partenkirchen. They had a very rough competition, not only being beaten by Rodnina & Ulanov but also suffering the booing of the crowd who perhaps had been swayed by some very biased West German reporting the year before. (One article questioned their low tech content compared to the top West German pair Hauss & Hafner and asked if pair was supposed to be a sport or a 5 minute dying swan!!)

But thankfully the audience remembered their manners in time for the exhibition and afforded Ludmilla and Oleg the reception they deserved. Ever the professionals, the Protopopov's skated sublimely and won them over.

1969 Europeans Exhibitions
https://youtu.be/d61t0KQFa_g

 

[skatesindreams]

How glorious, floskate!
Thank you, for sharing a treasure.