Inducted into the International Gymnastics Hall of Fame in 2001, alongside her husband, Olympic legend Nikolai Andrianov, Lujbov Burda’s long-term success as a gymnast, coach and judge confirms her status as a gymnastics star in her own right.

Burda competed at the 1968 and 1972 Olympic Games, contributing to the Soviet team’s gold medal winning effort both times. Although some of her teammates, like Olga Korbut and Ludmilla Tourischeva often received more attention, Burda’s contributions to the back-to-back Olympic team gold medals were significant. 

At the 1972 Games, Burda held her own by placing fifth in the all-around, and qualifying for two event finals. Burda was also fifth all-around and a two-event finalist at the 1970 World Championships, where she won a team gold medal, as well. 

Burda’s consistency enabled her to maintain her position on the powerful Soviet team in the course of its transition from the 1960s to the 1970s. She won the Soviet national all-around title in 1969 and 1970, as well as the USSR Cup in 1970.

A native of Voronezh, Russia, Burda performed in the classical style of Soviet gymnastics. She was also an innovator. The horizontal 1-1/2 spin she showed on the uneven bars became known as the Burda Spin.

Today, she’s a respected judge and a member of the Women’s Technical Committee of the International Gymnastics Federation. And she serves on the superior jury at various world championships and Olympic competitions. At the 2012 London Games, for example, she was the supervisor for the uneven bars. 

Burda-Andrianova lost her husband in March of 2011, when he died at the age of 58 of multiple symptom atrophy, a degenerative disease similar to ALS. She has two sons, Vladimir and Serge.

Lujbov Burda remains a graceful presence on the international gymnastics scene, as a leader and mentor, providing guidance for the development of the sport.