Editing Lilia Podkopayeva

{{Short description|Ukrainian gymnast (born 1978)}}
{{Infobox gymnast
|name= Lilia Podkopayeva
|image=Liliya Podkopayeva.jpg
|imagesize=250px
|caption=Podkopayeva in 2021
|fullname=Lilia Alexandrivna Podkopayeva
|nickname=LilyPod, Golden Lily (in Ukraine)
|country= {{UKR}}
|formercountry=
|birth_date= {{birth date and age|df=y|1978|08|15}}
|birth_place=[[Donetsk]], [[Ukrainian SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
|hometown=
|death_date=
|death_place=
|spouse= {{married|Tymofiy Nahornyi|2004|2009|end=divorced}}
|height={{convert|1.49|m|ftin|0|abbr=on}}
|discipline=WAG
|natlteam=
|club=Dynamo
|gym=
|collegeteam=
|headcoach=Lilia Puhachova (Choreographer),<ref name=gordon181025>Alesia Batsman. ''[https://gordonua.com/publications/podkopaeva-dlya-menya-doneck-bil-est-i-budet-ukrainoy-420981.html Podkopayeva: For me Donetsk was, is and will be Ukraine (Подкопаева: Для меня Донецк был, есть и будет Украиной)]''. Gordon.ua. 25 October 2018</ref> Halyna Lozynska<ref>Olena Sadovnyk. ''[http://olimparena.com.ua/inshi-publikatsii/165-tonki-materii-gimnastyky Subtle matters of gymnastics (Тонкі матерії гімнастики)]''. Olimpiyska Arena #10-2016.</ref><ref name=gordon181025/>
|assistcoach=
|formercoach=
|choreographer=
|music=
|eponymousskills= '''Vault''' round-off, back-handspring with 1/2 turn on - piked salto forward with 1/2 turn off <br /> '''Floor''' double front salto, also with 1/2 twist out
|retired=1997
|show-medals = yes
|medaltemplates= <!-- see [[Template:MedalRelatedTemplates]] -->
{{MedalCountry| {{UKR}} }}
{{MedalSport| Women's [[artistic gymnastics]]}}
{{MedalCount
|total=yes
|[[Olympic Games]]|2|1|0
|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]|2|3|0 
|[[Goodwill Games]]|2|0|2
|[[European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships|European Championships]]|4|1|4
|[[European Team Gymnastics Championships|European Team Championships]]|0|0|1
|[[List of medalists at the UEG European Cup Final|European Cup Final]]|2|2|2
}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Olympic Games]]}}
[[File:Olympic rings.svg|center|60px]]
{{MedalGold|[[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics|All-Around]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics|Floor Exercise]]}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1996 Summer Olympics|1996 Atlanta]]|[[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics|Balance Beam]]}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|All-Around}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|Vault}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1994 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1994 Brisbane]]|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 Sabae]]|Uneven Bars}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Goodwill Games]]}}
{{MedalGold|1994 St Petersburg|Mixed Team}}
{{MedalGold|1994 St Petersburg|Vault}}
{{MedalBronze|1994 St Petersburg|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|1994 St Petersburg|Floor Exercise}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships|European Championships]]}}
{{MedalGold|1994 Stockholm|Floor Exercise}}
{{MedalGold|1996 Birmingham|All-Around}}
{{MedalGold|1996 Birmingham|Uneven Bars}}
{{MedalGold|1996 Birmingham|Floor Exercise}}
{{MedalSilver|1994 Stockholm|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalBronze|1994 Stockholm|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|1994 Stockholm|Vault}}
{{MedalBronze|1996 Birmingham|Team}}
{{MedalBronze|1996 Birmingham|Vault}}
{{MedalCompetition | [[European Team Gymnastics Championships|European Team Championships]]}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1997 European Gymnastics Masters|1997 Paris]]|Team}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[List of medalists at the UEG European Cup Final|European Cup Final]]}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 UEG European Cup Final|1995 Rome]]|Uneven Bars}}
{{MedalGold|[[1995 UEG European Cup Final|1995 Rome]]|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1993 UEG European Cup Final|1993 Brussels]]|Vault}}
{{MedalSilver|[[1995 UEG European Cup Final|1995 Rome]]|Vault}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1993 UEG European Cup Final|1993 Brussels]]|Balance Beam}}
{{MedalBronze|[[1995 UEG European Cup Final|1995 Rome]]|Floor}}
}}

'''Lilia Oleksandrivna Podkopayeva''' ({{langx|uk|Лілія Олександрівна Подкопаєва}}; born 15 August 1978) is a [[Ukrainians|Ukrainian]] former [[Artistic gymnastics|artistic gymnast]]. She is the 1995 world all-around champion, and the 1996 Olympic all-around and [[Floor (gymnastics)|floor exercise]] champion. Often thought of as a complete athlete, Podkopayeva was known for combining power, style, and balletic grace.<ref>{{cite AV media |year=2008 |title=Lilia Podkopayeva, Class of 2008, International Gymnastics Hall of Fame |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of0vTefAvjQ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140626094432/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of0vTefAvjQ| archive-date=2014-06-26 | url-status=dead|access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref>

==Gymnastics career==

=== 1993–95 ===
In March 1993, Lilia won her only National All Around Title in Ukraine. In April 1993, Podkopayeva competed at the [[1993 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]] in [[Birmingham|Birmingham, England]]. She qualified for the [[Vault (gymnastics)|vault]] final, but crashed on her first attempt and finished last with a score of 8.893.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gymperium.eu/Gymnast/165/|title = Lilia Podkopayeva}}</ref>

At the [[1994 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1994 World Championships]] in [[Brisbane|Brisbane, Australia]], she placed sixth in the all-around with a score of 38.942. In event finals, she placed eighth on vault, scoring 9.424; fifth on [[uneven bars]], scoring 9.350; and second on [[balance beam]], scoring 9.737.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/w1994w.html |title=1994 World Championships |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2011 |website=Gymnastics Results |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190212130922/https://gymnasticsresults.com/90/w1994w.html |archive-date=12 February 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In November 1994, at the [[1994 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships (Team)|World Team Championships]] in [[Dortmund|Dortmund, Germany]], she contributed an all-around score of 38.099 toward the Ukrainian team's fifth-place finish.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/wt1994w.html |title=1994 Teams World Championships Women's artistic gymnastics |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2005 |website=Gymnastics Results |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327223524/http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/wt1994w.html |archive-date=27 March 2010 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

The following year, Podkopayeva competed at the [[1995 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1995 World Championships]] in [[Sabae, Fukui|Sabae, Japan]]. She helped Ukraine place fifth and qualify a full team to the 1996 Olympics. Podkopayeva then won the all-around final with a score of 39.248. In event finals, she placed first on vault (9.781), second on uneven bars (9.837), second on balance beam (9.837), and seventh on floor (9.087).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/w1995w.html |title=1995 World Championships |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2011 |website=Gymnastics Results |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422190459/http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/w1995w.html |archive-date=22 April 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 1996 ===
At the beginning of the year, Podkopayeva was seriously injured when she fell from the beam in practice, fracturing two ribs.<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1996/07/26/216340/twister-after-her-competition-fell-away-ukraines-lilia-podkopayeva-touched-down-with-the-gold-in-the-all-around|title=TWISTER AFTER HER COMPETITION FELL AWAY, UKRAINE'S LILIA PODKOPAYEVA TOUCHED DOWN WITH THE GOLD IN THE ALL-AROUND|date=26 July 1996|magazine=Sports Illustrated}}</ref> However, in May, she competed at the European Championships in Birmingham, where she helped the Ukrainian team place third and won the individual all-around with a score of 39.205. In event finals, she placed third on balance beam (9.756), first on uneven bars (9.825), and first on floor (9.862).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/e1996w.html |title=1996 European Championships |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2006 |website=Gymnastics Results |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201022816/http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/90/e1996w.html |archive-date=1 February 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==== Atlanta Olympics ====
In July, Podkopayeva competed at the [[1996 Summer Olympics]] in [[Atlanta|Atlanta, Georgia]]. In the [[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic team all-around|team final]], she contributed a combined compulsory and optional score of 78.061 toward the Ukrainian team's fifth-place finish. She then won the [[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic individual all-around|all-around final]] with a score of 39.255. In event finals, she placed fifth on [[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's uneven bars|uneven bars]] (9.787), second on [[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's balance beam|balance beam]] (9.825), and first on [[Gymnastics at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Women's floor|floor]] (9.887).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/olympics/og1996wag.html |title=Games of the 26th Olympiad Artistic Gymnastics |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2009 |website=Gymnastics Results |access-date=23 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090629044400/http://www.gymnasticsresults.com/olympics/og1996wag.html |archive-date=29 June 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> She was the fourth gymnast to win the Olympic all-around title as the reigning world champion, and the first gymnast to win the all-around without winning a team medal. She was also the last female gymnast to win the all-around title and an event-final gold medal until [[Simone Biles]] did this in [[Gymnastics at the 2016 Summer Olympics|2016]].

=== 1997 ===
Podkopayeva originally intended to continue competing after the 1996 Olympics, and she was named to the Ukrainian team for the [[1997 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships|1997 World Championships]]. However, injuries forced her to sit out the competition and, later, to retire.<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew |last=Houghton|title=Golden Memories: Twisters Coach remembers Atlanta Games|website= www.daily-tribune.com|location= Cartersville, GA|date= 11 August 2016|url= http://www.daily-tribune.com/stories/golden-memories-twisters-coach-remembers-atlanta-games,12943}}</ref>

==Eponymous skills==
Podkopayeva has two eponymous skills listed in the [[Code of Points (gymnastics)|Code of Points]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Women’s Artistic Gymnastics – 2025-2028 Code of Points |url=https://www.gymnastics.sport/publicdir/rules/files/en_1.1%20-%20WAG%20COP%202025-2028.pdf |website=[[International Gymnastics Federation]] |date=22 April 2024 |access-date=12 January 2025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!Apparatus
!Name
!Description
![[Code of Points (gymnastics)#Table of elements|Difficulty]]{{efn|name=difficulty|Valid for the 2025–2028 Code of Points}}
|-
|Vault || Podkopayeva || Round-off flic-flac with {{frac|1|2}} turn (180°) on - piked salto forward with {{frac|1|2}} turn (180°) off || 4.2
|-
|Floor exercise || Podkopayeva || Double salto forward tucked with {{frac|1|2}} turn (180°) || F (0.6)
|}
{{notelist}}

== Post-retirement ==
In 2002, Podkopayeva started the Golden Lilia International Sports Festival, an exhibition featuring artistic and [[Rhythmic gymnastics|rhythmic gymnasts]], acrobats, and dancers. She said, "It's important to us to show outstanding people and brightest talent so that the next generation can follow the best of the best."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intlgymnast.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=661:podkopayeva-pulls-off-golden-lilia-extravaganza&catid=2:news&Itemid=53 |title=Podkopayeva Pulls Off 'Golden Lilia' Extravaganza |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=28 October 2008 |website=International Gymnast Magazine Online |publisher=International Gymnast Magazine |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref>

In December 2004, she married a Ukrainian businessman Tymofiy Nahornyi. They have two children: Vadym, adopted in Ukraine in July 2006, and Karolina, born in November 2006. The couple divorced in 2009.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://bulvar.com.ua/gazeta/archive/s4_62708/5134.html |title=Olympic Champion Lilia Podkopaeva Filed for Divorce |author=Natalia Dvali |date=29 January 2009 |website= Gordon Boulevard Newspaper Archives |access-date= 17 September 2017}}</ref>

In 2005, Podkopayeva became a [[United Nations]] [[Goodwill Ambassador|goodwill ambassador]] on [[HIV/AIDS]] in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org.ua/en/information-centre/news/479-2006-03-13 |title=High-Profile Event to Promote Healthy Lifestyle in Donetsk region |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=United Nations in Ukraine |publisher=United Nations |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref> She is also an Ambassador of the Council of Europe for Sport, Tolerance, and Fair Play.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.un.org.ua/en/component/content/article/27 |title=United Nations Goodwill Ambassadors |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=United Nations in Ukraine |publisher=United Nations |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref>

In 2007, she won [[Dancing With the Stars#Ukraine|Ukraine's ''Dancing With the Stars'']] with partner Sergiy Kostetskyi. The next year, she represented Ukraine in the [[Eurovision Dance Contest 2008|Eurovision Dance Contest]]. Along with partner Kyrylo Khytrov, she placed third in the competition.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intlgymnast.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=661:podkopayeva-pulls-off-golden-lilia-extravaganza&catid=2:news&Itemid=53 |title=Podkopayeva Pulls Off 'Golden Lilia' Extravaganza |author=Amanda Turner |date=28 October 2008 |website=International Gymnast Magazine Online |publisher=International Gymnast Magazine |access-date=23 July 2014}}</ref>

In 2014, Podkopayeva did a gala event in Mexico, using similar choreography to the floor routine she performed in Atlanta, as well as doing back handsprings and round-offs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thegymter.net/2014/10/20/mexicos-gala-of-gymnastics-stars-performers-announced/|title=Mexico's Gala of Gymnastics Stars performers announced|work=The Gymternet|date=October 20, 2014}}</ref>

In 2019, Podkopayeva joined the coaching staff at Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta's Perimeter Gymnastics.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://thechampionnewspaper.com/news/local/gymnastics-program-hires-olympic-gold-medalist-as-new-coach/ | title=Gymnastics program hires Olympic gold medalist as new coach - | date=21 February 2019 }}</ref>

==See also==

*[[List of Olympic female gymnasts for Ukraine]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
* {{FIG|bio=23523|lic=47}}
* {{IGHOF}}
* {{Olympics.com}}
* {{Olympedia}}

{{Footer olympic champions individual all-round women}}
{{Footer Olympic Champions - Artistic Gymnastics - Women's Floor Exercise}}
{{NavigationWorldChampionsArtisticGymnasticsWomenAA}}
{{NavigationWorldChampionsArtisticGymnasticsWomenVault}}
{{Footer European Artistic Gymnastics All-Around Champions (Women)}}
{{Footer European Artistic Gymnastics Uneven Bars Champions (Women)}}
{{Footer European Artistic Gymnastics Floor Exercise Champions (Women)}}
{{Eurovision Dance Contest participants}}
{{International Gymnastics Hall of Fame members}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Podkopayeva, Lilia}}
[[Category:1978 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Donetsk]]
[[Category:Gymnasts from Donetsk Oblast]]
[[Category:Serhiy Bubka College of Olympic Reserve alumni]]
[[Category:Ukrainian female artistic gymnasts]]
[[Category:Gymnasts at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Ukraine]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Ukraine]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in gymnastics]]
[[Category:World champion gymnasts]]
[[Category:Medalists at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships]]
[[Category:Originators of elements in artistic gymnastics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Princess Olga]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of Merit (Ukraine), 2nd class]]
[[Category:Olympic gymnasts for Ukraine]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1996 Summer Olympics]]
[[Category:Goodwill Games medalists in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Competitors at the 1994 Goodwill Games]]
[[Category:European champions in gymnastics]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Honorary Diploma of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine]]
[[Category:20th-century Ukrainian sportswomen]]