Rhythmic Gymnastics Veterans Founder of the Ryazan School, Svetlana Lebedeva
Russia’ Honored Coach. Founder of the Ryazan School of Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Svetlana Semyonovna Lebedeva was born on May 1, 1932, in Ryazan. Her name is associated with the development of rhythmic gymnastics in this city.
Svetlana Lebedeva graduated from the first class of Moscow Institute of Physical Education, specializing in rhythmic gymnastics. Under the guidance of Professor Maria Novik, Russia’s Honored Coach, she mastered the fundamentals and subtleties of this most feminine of sports. Then, returning to her hometown in 1958, Svetlana initiated the opening of the first rhythmic gymnastics club in Ryazan, at the Krasnoe Znamya club.
Photo courtesy of Ekaterina Lots.
Svetlana’s protégé, now Russia’s Honored Coach, Olga Lisitsyna, shares memories of her mentor.
"She was very fair and intelligent. She never raised her voice. She always spoke softly, never scolded, and tried to explain any mistakes the gymnast made and help them correct them. She had a keen artistic eye and created her own routines for her students. She also helped with everyday tasks, offering advice on sewing and cooking. That's how she was remembered—a great professional and a wonderful person," Olga recalls.
She also remembered the following about Svetlana,
"When elastic swimsuits appeared, Svetlana began sewing gymnastics leotards out of them, combining several swimsuits together. The first beautiful leotards in the Ryazan region were handmade by her," she said.
In 1965, Tatyana Zaitseva and Tatyana Mashkova were included in the Russian national team. They later won the individual and team championships at the Trud Sports Society. In 1967, Tatyana Mashkova became a member of the USSR national team and won the world championship in group exercises. Svetlana Lebedeva was awarded the title of Russia’s Honored Coach for her outstanding achievements in rhythmic gymnastics development.
Photo courtesy of Ekaterina Lots.
After Lebedeva's death on April 14, 1991, her students continued her legacy. Tatyana Gorshkova (Zaytseva), Galina Puchkova (Ofitserova), Tatyana Ivanova (Mashkova), Svetlana Konovalova, and Olga Lisitsyna became Russia’s Honored Coaches.
In memory of Svetlana, the All-Russian Rhythmic Gymnastics Competition the Cup of Russia's Honored Coach.S. Lebedeva is held annually in Ryazan.
We would like to thank Ekaterina Lots, Alina Kabaeva Sky Grace Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy coach and Olga Lisitsyna, Russia’s Honored Coach for their assistance in preparing this material. Research paper titled "The history of rhythmic gymnastics development in Ryazan Region" by E. Kravchuk and Y. Utkina was also used in preparing this material.