Olga Markova (; born August 6, 1968) is a retired

long-distance runner Long-distance running, or endurance running, is a form of continuous running over distances of at least . Physiologically, it is largely Aerobic exercise, aerobic in nature and requires stamina as well as mental strength. Within endurance ru ...

from

Russia Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a country spanning Eastern Europe and North Asia. It is the list of countries and dependencies by area, largest country in the world, and extends across Time in Russia, eleven time zones, sharing Borders ...

, who set the world's best year performance in 1992 and a new national record, when she won the

Boston Marathon The Boston Marathon is an annual marathon race hosted by eight cities and towns in greater Boston in eastern Massachusetts, United States. It is traditionally held on Patriots' Day, the third Monday of April. Begun in 1897, the event was ins ...

, clocking 2:23:43. In 1993, she defended her victory in Boston in 2:25:27. She did not make the Olympic team after finishing in fourth at the 1991 USSR Championships behind, among others,

Madina Biktagirova Madina Ulfatovna Biktagirova (, ; born 20 September 1964 in Osh, Kirghiz Soviet Socialist Republic, Soviet Union) is a retired long-distance runner. She competed for both Belarus and Russia. Professional career In 1992, Biktagirova set a course ...

, who tested positive for

norephedrine Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), sold under many brand names, is a sympathomimetic agent used as a decongestant and appetite suppressant. It was once common in prescription drug, prescription and over-the-counter drug, over-the-counter cough and cold ...

at the

1992 Summer Olympics The 1992 Summer Olympics (, ), officially the Games of the XXV Olympiad (, ) and officially branded as Barcelona '92, were an international multi-sport event held from 25 July to 9 August 1992 in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. Beginning in 1994 ...

, earning the distinction of being the first Olympic marathoner to ever be disqualified for failing a drug test. The first Soviet-born athlete to win Boston, Olga Markova is the only Russian or Soviet athlete to defend a Boston marathon victory, and along with Irina Mikitenko (in 2009-09), the only Soviet-born athlete to defend a title of any of the current

World Marathon Majors The World Marathon Majors (WMM) sponsored by Abbott Laboratories is a championship-style competition for marathon runners that started in 2006. A points-based competition founded on seven major marathon races recognised as the most high-profile o ...

. Currently, Markova resides in Gainesville, Florida.

Marathons

References

alltime-athletics
1968 births Living people Russian female long-distance runners Boston Marathon female winners 20th-century Russian sportswomen {{Russia-longdistance-athletics-bio-stub