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Tatyana Samolenko made a triumphant return to the track in 1991 after
two years of semi-retirement. During that time she had remarried, and
competing under her married name of Dorovskikh, she had won gold in the
3000m, and silver in the 1500m at the 1991 World Championships. As had
been her custom during the latter part of her career, Dorovskikh
competed sparingly in the early part of the 1992 season, focusing her
efforts on the major competition of the year, the Olympic Games in
Barcelona. Despite her relative lack of preparation, Tatyana was the
favourite for the 3000m at Barcelona, in deference to the fact that she
was the reigning Olympic and World champion, and her reputation for
producing her best performances at major international championships.
The slow early pace in the 3000m final at Barcelona, held on 2 August,
suited Tatyana's renowned finishing kick, and she was happy to bide her
time within the leading pack and let others do the pace making. Coming
off the last turn Dorovskikh's teammate Yelena Romanova burst into the
lead, with Tatyana in hot pursuit. This was a repeat of the scenario
that had occurred at the previous year's World Championships in Tokyo
between these two athletes, but whereas Dorovskikh had prevailed in
Tokyo, this time it was Romanova's turn, as she maintained her lead to
the finish, relegating Dorovskikh to the silver medal position. Six
days later, Tatyana competed in the 1500m final, which was run at an
extremely fast race, resulting in the first seven athletes all recording
personal best times, but on this occasion Tatyana's 3min 57.92sec
lifetime best was only good enough for fourth place. Dorovskikh's
outstanding career achievements were somewhat soured when she tested
positive for drug use in June 1993, which effectively brought an end to
her career. (Ron Casey).
Tetyana Volodymyrivna Dorovskikh's performances were soured when she tested positive for drug use in June 1993, which effectively brought an end to her career.
She was also known as Samolenko-Khamitova before her marriage. On some web sites
she is known as Tetyana Dorovskikh.
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