Sovetsky Sport. November 29, 1980 Yesterday was the only occasion when Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor Arkady Vladimirovich Livshits, who operated on Elena Mukhina several months ago (readers already know that Lena landed badly and was injured during one of the pre-Olympic training sessions in the Minsk Sports Palace), allowed visitors to enter without wearing white coats. And he allowed the door of one of the clinic's offices, where Lena is currently undergoing treatment, to be left open.
On this day, our wonderful gymnastics team was awarded the Order of the Motherland. Deputy Chief of the Main Political Directorate of the Soviet Army and Navy, Colonel General M. Sobolev presented Lena with the Order of the Badge of Honor.
This is how the Motherland praised the outstanding sporting achievements of Elena Mukhina, her courage, determination, and resilience - qualities that Lena needs now more than ever as she battles her illness.
"Lena has a real fighting spirit," says the famous neurosurgeon A. Livshits. "Now she is stubbornly doing therapeutic exercises for several hours a day. She watches TV, does crosswords, reads... In short, she does everything she can do to help medicine."
"Everyone helps me," Lena smiles. "Girls from the Institute of Physical Education are always with me. For example, Marina Vorontsova and Marina Ganyushina. They took part in the opening ceremonies of the 1980 Olympics. The coach of the Central Army Sports Club Lyumila Mezhueva, massage therapist Andrei Ivanov, Sofia Muratova...I can't name them all."
Yesterday, Lena's senior comrades from the Central Army Sports Club came to congratulate her.
"You have a share of courage and fortitude," said D. Okhroma, the secretary of the Central Committee of the All-Union Leninist Movement.
Gymnasts Olga Koval, Lena Yastrebova, Lena Gurina and their friends presented E. Mukhina with red carnations.
There were many flowers, many kind smiles, and of course wishes for a speedy recovery.
"Thank you all very much," said Lena.
S. PALMOVA