The apex of Irina Nazarova’s career came at the 1980 Olympics, where she won a gold medal with the Soviet 4x400 relay team. Besides her Olympic gold medal, she won a 1981 Universiade 4x400 relay gold, and relay silvers at the 1979 and 1985 World Cup, and 1979 and 1981 European Cups, adding a 400 bronze at the 1981 European Cup. Nazarova was also selected for the 1984 Soviet Olympic 4x400 team, but when the Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Olympics, she competed instead at the Friendship Games, winning a gold medal in the 4x400 metres. Nazarova won her only Soviet title in 1985 in the 4x400 relay, also winning three silvers and three bronzes at the Soviet nationals.
Personal Best: 400 – 50.07 (1980).