Lazutina, Larissa (1965–)

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Lazutina, Larissa (1965–)

Russian cross-country skier. Name variations: Larissa Lazhutina. Born Larissa Ptitsina, June 1, 1965, in Kondopoga, USSR; m. Evgeni Lazutin (Russian skier).

Won 11 World titles; won Olympic 4 × 5km relay gold medals at Albertville (1992) and Lillehammer (1994); won a silver medal in the 15 K freestyle, a bronze medal in the 30 K freestyle, and gold medals in the 5K classical, 10K freestyle pursuit and 4 × 5 K relay at Nagano Olympics (1998); won silver medals for 15 K freestyle and 5 K pursuit at Salt Lake City Olympics (2002), but was stripped of a gold medal for the 30 K freestyle and disqualified from the 20 K relay for failing a drug test, coming within one medal of tying the women's Olympic winter record; given a 2-year ban by International Ski Federation for the Salt Lake test failure (2002). Awarded Hero of Russia medal (1998).