# Tamara Press

> Soviet track-and-field athlete (1937-2021)

**Wikidata**: [Q232249](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q232249)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Press)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tamara-press

## Summary
Tamara Press was a Soviet track-and-field athlete (1937–2021) renowned for her dominance in shot put and discus throw during the 1960s. A three-time Olympic gold medalist and multiple world record holder, she became one of the most decorated female athletes of her era, representing the Soviet Union at the height of its athletic prowess.

## Biography
- **Born:** May 10, 1937
- **Nationality:** Soviet Union (later Russia)
- **Known for:** Olympic gold medals in shot put (1960, 1964) and discus throw (1964), multiple world records in both events
- **Field(s):** Track and field (shot put, discus throw)
- **Awards:** Order of Lenin, Order of the Badge of Honour, Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, Order of Friendship (Russian Federation)

## Contributions
Tamara Press set multiple world records in shot put and discus throw, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest female athletes in Soviet history. Her Olympic victories included gold medals in the shot put at the 1960 Rome Olympics and the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, as well as a gold in the discus throw in Tokyo. She also earned a silver medal in the discus throw at the 1960 Olympics. Beyond her competitive achievements, Press was recognized with the Soviet Union’s highest athletic honor, the Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, and later received the Order of Friendship from the Russian Federation.

## FAQs
**What events did Tamara Press compete in?**
Tamara Press specialized in shot put and discus throw, winning Olympic gold medals in both events during the 1960s.

**What awards did Tamara Press receive?**
She was awarded the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Badge of Honour, and the title of Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR. Later, she received the Order of Friendship from the Russian Federation.

**When did Tamara Press pass away?**
Tamara Press died on April 26, 2021.

## Why They Matter
Tamara Press’s dominance in track and field during the Cold War era symbolized Soviet athletic superiority and inspired generations of female athletes. Her world records and Olympic medals elevated the profile of women’s athletics globally, while her achievements remain a benchmark in shot put and discus throw history. Without her contributions, the Soviet Union’s legacy in track and field would be significantly diminished.

## Notable For
- Three-time Olympic gold medalist (shot put: 1960, 1964; discus throw: 1964)
- Multiple world records in shot put and discus throw
- Recipient of the Order of Lenin and Order of the Badge of Honour
- Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR (1934–1992)
- Later awarded the Order of Friendship by the Russian Federation (1994)

## Body
### Early Life and Career
Tamara Natanovna Press was born on May 10, 1937, in the Soviet Union. She rose to prominence in the 1960s as a dominant force in women’s track and field, specializing in shot put and discus throw.

### Olympic Success
Press won her first Olympic gold medal in the shot put at the 1960 Rome Olympics. She followed this with another gold in the shot put at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, along with a gold in the discus throw, becoming one of the few athletes to win multiple golds in different throwing events at a single Games. She also earned a silver medal in the discus throw at the 1960 Olympics.

### World Records and Honors
Throughout her career, Press set numerous world records in both shot put and discus throw. Her achievements were recognized with the Soviet Union’s highest athletic accolades, including the Order of Lenin and the Order of the Badge of Honour. She was also awarded the title of Honoured Master of Sports of the USSR, the highest sporting honor in the Soviet Union.

### Later Life and Legacy
After the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Press was honored by the Russian Federation with the Order of Friendship in 1994. She remained a celebrated figure in Russian and Soviet sports history until her death on April 26, 2021. Her legacy endures as one of the most decorated female athletes of her time, with her records and medals serving as a testament to her dominance in track and field.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. catalogue of Eye Film Museum
3. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
4. [Ушла из жизни олимпийская чемпионка Тамара Пресс](https://stadium.ru/news/26-04-2021-na-84-m-godu-ushla-iz-jizni-olimpiiskaya-chempionka-tamara-press)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. World Athletics database
8. [Source](https://www.lequipe.fr/Athletisme/Actualites/L-ancienne-championne-sovietique-tamara-press-est-morte/1246707)