Former Olympic gold medal champions in their 70s and 80s can still dazzle the crowd on ice
When two legendary people of a certain discipline decide to go for one last ride – it’s going to be epic.
And the Protopopovs are the legends we’re talking about.
They are Russian legends in the discipline of figure skating.
The couple won numerous contests in figure skating but the most notable ones were when they won Olympic gold medals in 1964 and 1968, representing the Soviet Union.
They also earned their championship streak in the World Skating Championship ranging from 1965 to 1968.
Oleg and Lyudmila met in 1954 after Oleg’s service with the Soviet Navy. They began skating together then got married in 1957. Call it fate, but they belonged with each other.
In 1979, Oleg Protopopov and Lyudmila Belousova made a bold move and defected to Switzerland while on tour and requested political asylum.
Both became Swiss citizens in 1995.
Oleg Protopopov and Lyudmila Belousova revolutionized the world of Pair Skating with their own techniques. Their routine was more of a romantic style that is similar to Russian ballet and is paired with slow and graceful movements.
The Protopopovs did their last routine in an event called”An Evening With Champions.” The couple graced the attendants with their style of figure skating, proving to everyone in attendance that age is nothing but a number.
During their performance, the couple’s performance in the ice rink was perfect – as if they were in their prime.
Oleg Protopopov, at the age of 83, and Lyudmila Belousova, at the age of 79, showed the attendants that experience is the best teacher with stunningly beautiful and crisp movements that would leave the crowd in awe for the rest of the night.
The Protopopovs didn’t have children.
While there could have been children who carried the family name and their skating legacy, it was a personal choice for both of them. They wanted to pursue their careers as figure skaters.
In their faces, you can see the passion and dedication that made them legends.
The music they chose for this performance was Fascination by Liberace. The music plus their movements made the night special. Almost like it was for their performance.
The crowd was full of applause.
From pair skating fans to non-pair skating fans, everyone put their hand together for the pair. It was all praises for Oleg and Lyudmilla that night.
Fans who didn’t watch them live showed their praise on YouTube.
One fan said; “Amazing couple! What a tribute to sport, human endurance and strong will! Thanks for posting! Much to learn!”
And another fan said; “Amazing! Incredible! They work miracles on ice! And you can feel LOVE in every gesture… God bless them – they are SO perfect!!!”
The whole evening was full of love.
The way the couple performed with their movements added to the overflowing praises from the crowd.
You just have to check it out yourself!
Watch the magical performance in the video below!
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