Larissa Latynina, the 18 Times Record Olympic Medal Athlete, Congratulates Michael Phelps on Becoming the Record Gold Medal Athlete

BEIJING and MOSCOW, August 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Larissa Latynina, one of the noblest Russian athletes in the globe, whose record at 18 Olympic Medals is still unbroken, congratulated the talented American swimmer Michael Phelps, who has been already commemorated in the sports history as record Olympic Gold Medals athlete, as for today having broken 6 global records at the Olympic Games in Beijing. Altogether he presently has 12 Gold Olympic Medals.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080815/317351 )

In her official letter to the sportsman Larissa noted:

"I wanted to add my congratulations to the many you have received in the last few days. I have enjoyed your impressive performance here in Beijing. You have shattered all sorts of records with truly inspiring Olympic character. Many in the world will be stirred to greatness by what you have achieved and this is your true legacy.

In ceding my record for most Olympic gold medals, I do it with little regret as I am sure that we share the joy of competition and a timeless admiration for excellence."

Note to Editors:

Larissa Semyonovna Latynina (born December 27, 1934 in Kherson, Ukrainian SSR) is a Soviet gymnast who was the first female athlete to win nine Olympic golds. She holds the record for winning the most Olympic medals at 18 (nine gold medals, five silver and four bronze). After the 1966 World Championships she became a coach for the Soviet national gymnastics team, a position she held until 1977. She organized the gymnastics competition at the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. During her life she was awarded with many noble honors, among them is the Olympic Order (silver) by the International Olympic Committee. In 1998 her name was inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame.