Marina Zhirova

Marina Zhirova took up athletics in 1975, and became the top Soviet female sprinter in the mid-1980s. She won 4x100 relay bronzes at the 1988 Olympics and 1986 European Championships. She also won 100 and 4x100 relay silvers at the 1985 World and European Cups. Zhirova won Soviet titles in the 1985 and 1988 100, and the 1987 4x100 relay. After finishing her sports career, Zhirova worked as an athletics coach in Balashikha, Moskva Oblast. In 2003 she became director of the Sports Complex Meteor in Balashikha. She was also active in politics with the United Russia party and is a member of the Balashikha city council.

Personal Best: 100 – 10.98 (1985).