GORDEEVA, YEKATERINA; AND GRINKOV, SERGEY

born May 28, 1971, Moscow, Russia, U.S.S.R. born Feb. 4, 1967, Moscow died Nov. 20, 1995, Lake Placid, N.Y., U.S. Russian figure-skating pair who gained worldwide acclaim and popularity with four world championships and two Olympic gold medals. They are often regarded, along with the Protopopovs, as one of the finest pairs skating teams in history. Gordeeva and Grinkov were teamed at the ages of 11 and 15, respectively, and initially appeared to many critics as an awkward couple owing to a large disparity in height (Grinkov was about a foot [0.304 metre] taller than Gordeeva). In 1985 they proved the critics wrong by capturing the junior world championship pairs title. The following year they went on to claim the first of four world championships (1986-87 and 1989-90) and were touted as lithesome and creative, mature and strong. Their career peaked when they won their first Olympic gold medal with a unanimous vote at the 1988 Games in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, but it took a surprising turn in 1990 when, claiming their competitive drive had diminished, they retired as world champions. During what turned out to be nothing more than a hiatus, the pair married in April 1991 and had a daughter, Daria, in September 1992. They returned to amateur competition at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, and won a gold medal despite a few minor errors in their routine. Afterward they immigrated to the United States to raise their daughter and skate professionally. Their partnership ended abruptly in November 1995 when Grinkov, who unknowingly suffered from blockages of the coronary arteries, died of a heart attack while practicing a routine. Subsequently, Gordeeva pursued a singles skating career.