Lilia "Lily Pod"

As an Olympic champion, Lilia "Lily Pod" Podkopayeva affirmed her status as the premiere women's gymnast with gold medal wins in the European Championships, Worlds, and the Olympics. At the age of seventeen and holding the top titles at every level of competition, Podkopayeva was the first athlete ever to win multiple medals while representing Ukraine. 

As an Olympic champion, Lilia "Lily Pod" Podkopayeva affirmed her status as the premiere women's gymnast with gold medal wins in the European Championships, Worlds, and the Olympics. At the age of seventeen and holding the top titles at every level of competition, Podkopayeva was the first athlete ever to win multiple medals while representing Ukraine. 

As an Olympic champion, Lilia "Lily Pod" Podkopayeva affirmed her status as the premiere women's gymnast with gold medal wins in the European Championships, Worlds, and the Olympics. At the age of seventeen and holding the top titles at every level of competition, Podkopayeva was the first athlete ever to win multiple medals while representing Ukraine. 

Podkopayeva was born on August 15, 1978, in Donetsk in Ukraine.

The second of two children, she lived with her parents and grandparents.

 At the age of five Podkopayeva was enrolled in gymnastics classes at the Dynamo Gym. There she worked with coach Ulla Pugacheva.

Podkopayeva was born on August 15, 1978, in Donetsk in Ukraine.

The second of two children, she lived with her parents and grandparents.

 At the age of five Podkopayeva was enrolled in gymnastics classes at the Dynamo Gym. There she worked with coach Ulla Pugacheva.

Podkopayeva was born on August 15, 1978, in Donetsk in Ukraine.

The second of two children, she lived with her parents and grandparents.

 At the age of five Podkopayeva was enrolled in gymnastics classes at the Dynamo Gym. There she worked with coach Ulla Pugacheva.

Soon Podkopayeva was training with Galyna Losinska.

When she won her first age-group competition at the age of six, Podkopayeva enjoyed the flowers and attention that accompanied the victory.

Soon Podkopayeva was training with Galyna Losinska.

When she won her first age-group competition at the age of six, Podkopayeva enjoyed the flowers and attention that accompanied the victory.

Podkopayeva was first named to the Ukrainian national team in 1988 at the age of eleven. She then spent five years with Losinska at a gymnastics training camp in preparation for her planned Olympic competition in 1996. 

Podkopayeva was first named to the Ukrainian national team in 1988 at the age of eleven. She then spent five years with Losinska at a gymnastics training camp in preparation for her planned Olympic competition in 1996. 

Podkopayeva was first named to the Ukrainian national team in 1988 at the age of eleven. She then spent five years with Losinska at a gymnastics training camp in preparation for her planned Olympic competition in 1996.