Ulyana Matveevna Gromova born January 3, 1924 in Krasnodon (modern Lugansk People's Republic). Russian by nationality. At school, Ulyana was the best student and read a lot. She kept a notebook where she wrote down expressions she liked from the books she had just read. For example, in her notebook There were these quotes:
“It is much easier to see heroes die than to listen to some coward scream for mercy.” (Jack London)
“The most precious thing a person has is life. It is given to him once, and he must live it in such a way that there is no excruciating pain for the years spent aimlessly, so that the shame for the mean and petty past does not burn, and so that when he dies, he can say: all his life and all his strength were given to the most beautiful thing in world - the struggle for the liberation of humanity." (Nikolai Ostrovsky)
In March 1940, she joined the Komsomol.
Ulyana was a tenth grader when the Great War began Patriotic War. By this time, as I. A. Shkreba recalled,
“She’s already got it together solid concepts about duty, honor, morality. This is a strong-willed nature.”
She was distinguished by a wonderful sense of friendship and collectivism. Together with her peers, Ulya worked in the collective farm fields and cared for the wounded in the hospital. In 1942 she graduated from school.
When the war began, Ulyana wrote in her notebook:
“Our life, creative work, our future, our whole Soviet culture in danger. We must hate the enemies of our Fatherland; to hate the enemies of human happiness, to be kindled with an invincible thirst to avenge the torment and death of fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters, friends, for the death and torment of every Soviet citizen.”
Ulyana Gromova was one of the leaders and organizers of the youth struggle against Nazi occupiers in the mining town of Krasnodon. Since September 1942, Gromova was a member of the headquarters of the underground Komsomol organization “Young Guard”.
Each member of the Young Guard took an oath:
“When I join the ranks of the Young Guard, in the face of my friends in arms, in the face of my native, long-suffering land, in the face of all the people, I solemnly swear: to unquestioningly carry out any task given to me by my senior comrade, to keep in the deepest secrecy everything that concerns my work in the Young Guard.
I swear to take revenge mercilessly for the burned, devastated cities and villages, for the blood of our people, for martyrdom thirty miner heroes. And if this revenge requires my life, I will give it without a moment’s hesitation.
If I break this sacred oath under torture or because of cowardice, then may my name and my family be cursed forever.Blood for blood! Death for death!
The Young Guard distributes leaflets in hundreds and thousands - at bazaars, in cinemas, in clubs. Leaflets are found on the police building, even in the pockets of police officers. In underground conditions, new members are accepted into the ranks of the Komsomol, temporary certificates are issued, and membership fees are accepted. As Soviet troops approach, an armed uprising is being prepared and the most in various ways weapons are obtained.
At the same time, strike groups carried out sabotage and Act of terrorism: killed policemen, Nazis, freed prisoners Soviet soldiers, burned the labor exchange along with all the documents located there, thereby saving several thousand Soviet people from being hijacked to Nazi Germany..
The organization was discovered by the police, members of the Young Guard were captured. On January 10, 1943, Ulyana was also captured. Ulyana’s mother recalled her daughter’s arrest:
“The door swings open and the Germans and police burst into the room.
—Are you Gromova? - said one of them, pointing to Ulyasha.
She straightened up, looked around at everyone and said loudly:
- I!
- Get ready! - the policeman barked.
“Don’t yell,” Ulya answered calmly.
Not a single muscle moved on her face. She easily and confidently put on her coat, tied a scarf around her head, put a piece of oatcake in her pocket and, coming up to me, kissed me deeply. Raising her head, she looked so tenderly and warmly at me, at the table where the books lay, at her bed, at her sister’s children, fearfully peeking out from the other room, as if she was silently saying goodbye to everything. Then she straightened up and said firmly:
-I'm ready!
This is how I will remember her for the rest of my life.”
Ulyana spoke with conviction about the struggle in the cell:
“Fighting is not such a simple thing; in any conditions, in any situation, you have to not bend, but find a way out and fight. We can also fight in these conditions, we just need to be more decisive and organized. We can arrange an escape and continue our work in freedom. Think about it".
In the cell, Ulyana read poetry to her comrades.
Ulyana Gromova behaved with dignity during interrogations, refusing to give any testimony about the activities of the underground.
“...Ulyana Gromova was hung up by her hair, a five-pointed star was cut out on her back, her breasts were cut off, her body was burned with a hot iron, her wounds were sprinkled with salt, and she was placed on a hot stove. The torture continued for a long time and mercilessly, but she remained silent. When, after yet another beating, investigator Cherenkov asked Ulyana why she behaved so defiantly, the girl replied:
“I didn’t join the organization to then ask for your forgiveness; I only regret one thing, that we didn’t have enough time to do! But it’s okay, maybe the Red Army will still have time to rescue us!...” (from the book by A.F. Gordeev “Feat in the Name of Life”).
“Ulyana Gromova, 19 years old, had a five-pointed star carved on her back, right hand broken, broken ribs” (KGB Archives of the USSR Council of Ministers, 100-275, vol. 8).
Before her death, Ulyana wrote a letter to her family on the wall of her cell:
Goodbye mom, goodbye dad,
Farewell, all my relatives,
Farewell, my beloved brother Yelya,
You won't see me again.
I dream about your engines in my dreams,
Your figure always stands out in the eyes.
My beloved brother, I am dying,
Stand stronger for your Motherland.
Goodbye.
Greetings from Ulya Gromova.
After brutal torture On January 16, 1943, 19-year-old Ulyana was shot and thrown into a mine. She didn't live to see her liberation Soviet troops Krasnodon is only 4 weeks old. She was awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union on September 13, 1943 (posthumously). -12
Ulyana Matveevna Gromova(January 3, 1924, Pervomaika village, Krasnodon district, Voroshilovgrad region - January 16, 1943, Krasnodon) - member of the headquarters of the organization " Young guard
Ulyana Gromova in 1940 Date of birth:
Place of Birth:
Pervomaika village, Lugansk district, Donetsk province, Ukrainian SSR, USSR
Citizenship:
Date of death:
A place of death:
Krasnodon, Voroshilovgrad region
Awards and prizes:
Ulyana Matveevna Gromova was born on January 3, 1924 in the village of Pervomaika, Krasnodon region. There were five children in the family, Ulya was the youngest. In 1932, Ulyana went to first grade at Pervomaisk School No. 6. She studied excellently, moved from class to class with certificates of commendation.
In March 1940, she joined the Komsomol. I was in tenth grade when the Great Patriotic War began. Together with her peers, Ulyana worked in the collective farm fields and cared for the wounded in the hospital.
In 1942 she graduated from school.
Has awards: Hero of the SOVIET UNION, Order of Lenin, Medal to the Partisan of the Patriotic War, 1st degree.
During the occupation, Anatoly Popov and Ulyana Gromova organized a patriotic group of youth in the village of Pervomaika, which became part of the “Young Guard”. Gromova was elected a member of the headquarters of the underground Komsomol organization. She took part in the preparation of military operations, distributed leaflets, collected medicines, and campaigned among the population, calling for thwarting the plans of the invaders to supply food and recruit young people to Germany. On the eve of the 25th anniversary October revolution Together with Anatoly Popov, Ulyana hung a red flag on the mine chimney.
In January 1943, she was arrested by the Gestapo. During interrogations, she refused to give any testimony about the activities of the underground. After torture on January 16, 1943, she was executed and thrown into the pit of mine No. 5:
“Ulyana Gromova, 19 years old, a five-pointed star was carved on her back, her right arm was broken, her ribs were broken.”
(KGB Archive under the USSR Council of Ministers, d. 100−275, vol. 8).
Buried in mass grave heroes on central square the city of Krasnodon, where it was built memorial Complex « Young guard».
- By Decree of the Presidium Supreme Council USSR on September 13, 1943, member of the headquarters of the underground Komsomol organization “Young Guard” Ulyana Matveevna Gromova was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.
- The order of Lenin
- Medal "Partisan of the Patriotic War" 1st degree
- The novel “The Young Guard” by A. A. Fadeev is dedicated to the feat of the “Young Guards”, where she became the prototype of the character of the same name.
- In 1948, in the film “The Young Guard” based on the novel of the same name, the role of Ulyana Gromova was played by Nonna Mordyukova.
- In honor of Ulyana Gromova, monuments were erected in many cities of the former Soviet Union, streets and a motor ship were named after her.
Heroes of the Young Guard: Ulyana Gromova, Ivan Zemnukhov, Oleg Koshevoy, Sergei Tyulenin, Lyubov Shevtsova
Semenova Uliana Semenova Career: Basketball player
Birth: Latvia
Yesterday, November 28, 2006, an SE correspondent called the legendary basketball player in Riga.
When I found out the other day that I became the best center of the century, it was very nice,” Semenova admitted. “I immediately wanted to go to the December ceremony in St. Petersburg and see old friends. True, I'm not sure it will work. IN Lately An old injury is making itself known, and I will soon have an expensive operation. It is financed by the Latvian authorities, for which I am extremely grateful to them.
After the collapse of the USSR, do you feel supported by the state?
In 1996, the Riga Duma awarded me a lifetime scholarship, indexed for inflation. Now it's $400 a month. Plus I get some money as a second group disabled person. In a word, I have no complaints. Although I perfectly understand: if I play current time, could have gotten a lot more. On the other hand, in independent Latvia I would never have been able to win two Olympics, three world championships and ten European titles.
After finishing your career, you were actively involved in social activities...
And I continue today. I have been the chairman of the Olympic Social Fund of Latvia for 15 years. We help not only Olympic champions, but in general almost all outstanding Latvian athletes and coaches of past years. Today, that same list includes 78 uncles.
You are also a member of the US Basketball Hall of Fame.
Two at once. In 1993, I was inducted into the Springfield Hall of Fame. And in 1999 - to a similar Women’s Basketball Hall, created in the state of Tennessee. I attended both ceremonies in person. Since then, people have been invited to America almost every year, but due to the high cost of tickets, I was able to go only once - in 2002, when a new hall was opened in Springfield. Then Larry Bird became a member. Before the award ceremony, he deliberately approached me to pay close respect.
And when you played for the Riga TTT and the USSR national team, were you often invited abroad?
Club contracts were offered on almost every foreign business trip. In France, Brazil, USA. But it was impossible to go anywhere then.
Tell me openly, what was your magnification? Directories still give conflicting information.
It’s all the fault of the journalists, who always attributed me to being either 216 cm or 218. At first I was quite offended, but gradually I stopped being sensitive. In fact, my lift never went above 210 under any circumstances.
Have you ever tried to score from above?
No. Even during training. The jump height was not enough. And there was no particular need. After all, any rival was already much shorter than me. By the way, I don’t think that in the future women will begin to “fly” over the platform like men. The strength of our basketball lies in its cunning, not its athleticism.
What was the TTT phenomenon, the one that broke all imaginable records in the domestic and international arenas under your leadership?
Not just me. No matter how great the only player is, he will not achieve anything without the support of his partners. In those years, I was surrounded by an amazing team, in which not only I was worthy of playing for the USSR national team. And we were coached by the huge Raimund Karnitis. There are no such specialists in Latvia and Russia and there never will be. Only Lydia Alekseeva (head coach of the USSR national team - A.B.) could compare with him. It is no coincidence that TTT won the European Cup 23 times, which surpassed the current Euroleague in level. It was a real “dream team” and I didn’t want to leave it. No matter how persistently they call you to Moscow and Leningrad.
Among the awards won, which is the most memorable?
Gold at the 1983 World Championships. Then, in the final against the Americans, the judges openly “killed” us. But thanks to Lena Chausova's free throws, we snatched the victory 2 seconds before the final siren. In this case, I won 45 titles by eye. I keep all medals in a special room. By the way, I am the only Latvian athlete who was awarded three orders - Lenin, Red Banner of Labor and Friendship of Peoples.
If it weren’t for the Soviet boycott of the 1984 Games in Los Angeles, would you definitely have become a three-time Olympic champion?
Certainly. At that time we were much stronger than everyone else. And for 5 months we thoroughly prepared for the trip to Los Angeles. I cannot express in words our disappointment when the boycott was announced. I experienced approximately the same feelings when, having left at the end of my career to earn money in clubs in Spain and France, I was forced to return almost all the finances stipulated by the contract to my native State Sports Committee. It was extremely offensive. Moreover, exactly then, abroad, at the age of 35, I received my first serious injury.
What is your point of view about modern basketball? And which of today's centers appeals to you for entertainment?
Now players have become more technical and fast. However, teams use combinations much less often, betting on individual qualities leaders. As a result, chaos often reigns on the site, and the entertainment does not look as great as before. Among the current centers I would like to highlight our Maria Stepanova and Australian Lauren Jackson. But they can hardly compare with the best fifth “numbers” of the past - Nelly Feryabnikova, Galina Voronina, Olga Sukharnova, Vida Beselene. These were the masters on whom any team could always rely.
Legendary basketball player, recognized Russian Federation The best basketball center of the twentieth century, Ulyana Semenova, celebrated her 60th birthday. A two-time Olympic champion, three-time world champion, ten-time European champion, she is loved and in demand in her native Latvia and abroad. From the height of her unique height (2 meters 10 centimeters) and the years she had lived, she appreciated her sports past.
Ulyana, first, please eliminate the contradictions regarding your name and place of birth: it seems that you are not Ulyana and were born not in Latvia, but in Lithuania?
My parents were Old Believers; at birth I was named Ulyana and should have been baptized as Iuliana. But father, when he wrote the name, instead of “n” he wrote “k” - it turned out to be Iuliyaka. My parents are not very literate, they didn’t pay attention to this until I suddenly noticed the mistake myself. When I turned 16, I wanted to change my name. But everyone around began to dissuade him: why, such an unusual name! Since then, when I present documents, everyone is surprised. Recently, a bank employee asked: “Is your name spelled correctly here?”
And with the place of birth there was such a story. When it was time for mom to give birth, dad took her to the nearest maternity hospital - it was in Zarasai, Lithuania, while Daugavpils, Latvia, is 25 kilometers away. My father didn’t think about which republic my mother should give birth in, and it didn’t matter special significance. But it’s interesting that this made itself felt many years later. The fact of my birth became the basis for the coach of the Lithuanian basketball team to make a statement that I should play for them.
Ulyana with her brother Semyon in the village (from Ulyana Semyonova’s personal archive)
- Is your phenomenal growth a family thing?
My relatives are not tall: my father is 1.76, my brother is 1.78... My mother, however, said that she cousin I was about 2 meters tall - maybe I’m taller than him. Already in the first grade I stood first in physical education. At the age of 13, when I took up basketball, my height was 1.88. By the way, I have never had anything above 2.10 - they exaggerated in the press. I remember the doctor measured my height and said: “Ulya, don’t raise your head, don’t make it 2.12, don’t attribute it to me.” I’m not at all the tallest among basketball players: I’ve heard about girls who are 2.13, 2.16 and even taller. With such growth, of course, there were enough everyday inconveniences - all my life I traveled to hotels with screwdrivers to unscrew the headboards of the bed.
- How did you get into sports? Was it an accident or did it work? Soviet system talent search?
In principle, I was a trained girl, physically developed, because I grew up in the village, I walked 5 kilometers to school, and, of course, I had to help my parents around the house. There was no basketball section at school, but I was involved in other sports - handball, volleyball, athletics, skiing. In those days, coaches traveled around the republic and selected promising guys. My sister's husband played big role the fact that I got into basketball: being an athlete himself, he understood that I had good abilities, and at his prompting, coaches from Riga came to our home to persuade my parents to let me go to the capital, where I could train seriously . The first time I saw them, I ran into the forest. It was difficult to tear myself away from my mother’s skirt; I couldn’t imagine myself being away from home. But still, I was persuaded, and in 1965 I entered the world of basketball. Of course, I have an excellent height for basketball, but to achieve results, it alone is not enough. I didn’t want to be a bear on the court who just gets the ball in his hands and then puts it in the basket. I had to work a lot, I trained for six hours a day, I did my best - sometimes I lost 2.5-3 kilograms during a workout. At first I lived in a boarding school, where I finished the 7th and 8th grades. Of course, sometimes it was hard. Then she moved in with her sister and her husband’s family. And three years later, as a promising athlete, they gave me an apartment and settled in comfortably.
Center Ulyana Semenova was key figure on the court, many game combinations were held on it
I quickly began to show results and already at the age of 14.5 I was playing for the USSR national junior team. And at 16 she joined the adult Union team. IN total played 18 years in the national team, 22 years in the Latvian club team TTT.
- In the last one you long years We were captain, but we didn’t have to be on the national team. Why?
I would have been chosen unanimously, but coach Lidiya Alekseeva didn’t want to. She had a principle: the little point guard was always the captain. Luda Bazarevich, Nadya Zakharova, Angele Rupshene... I always remember the national team warmly - the girls loved me very much, they knew that I would help out in Hard time. “Ulechka, Swallow, go to the playground, lifesaver! We need gold medals!” That's what they called me - Swallow. When the national team played, I was never allowed on the field in the first team. Alekseeva really didn’t like that everyone around them said: “The USSR is Semenova’s team.” That's why she held me. But as soon as we found ourselves in the red, the command was heard: “Ulya, take off your clothes!” It bothered me: they call me when I need to catch up. But when the girls ran towards me: “Lasta, Swallow, come on!” - they helped me change clothes, I forgot everything and went to the site. At the end sports day the girls were gathering in my room. When we were staying at a training camp in Serebryany Bor, after dinner everyone sat with me: ha-ha, hee-hee... The doctor goes through the rooms to describe the procedures, and all the rooms are empty. “Well, of course, they’re sitting with Ulyasha...” I was a magnet in the team - that’s my nature, I like to have good relations with everyone.
In the status of a basketball star, Semenova presents a ball with autographs to maestro Raymond Pauls
I was also a Komsomol organizer in the national team, but this position only brought headache. No sooner had I arrived in Moscow than I was summoned to the Komsomol Central Committee to inform me what meetings needed to be held, what topics to cover, how to dissect party congresses and discuss Brezhnev’s books “Virgin Land” and “ Malaya Zemlya" Everyone is resting after training, and I’m preparing for political information - I’m studying the press. Inspectors came to see how the Komsomol work was being carried out. It would be better to teach instead foreign languages- We went abroad. But no, this was not allowed! The girls taught on the sly in order to somehow communicate with foreigners. And so we pretended that we didn’t speak languages. As soon as there were competitions abroad, especially in countries such as China, Japan, and the USA, I was called to the mat. “You are our leading player. Firstly, we only need a victory, you must lead the team. And secondly, only you give the interview. You can’t say this, this too...” I ask again: “Wait, what language will I speak? My translator is smart - he knows better what to translate and what not to translate...” The translators were not easy, they were all in uniform. In general, for me, giving interviews was the hardest work; it was probably better to move stones. I remember before the Moscow Olympics, American television crews came to make a film about famous Soviet athletes. They came to my house. But we couldn’t say that we are professional athletes and get paid for it. We could only be amateurs. So I told you: I graduated sports institute, I work as a trainer, after classes I go to train. The journalist asks: “Well, you have carpets at home, a color TV. Where?" I answer: “I can afford it.” When we win the World and European Championships, we are entitled to a reward.”
When Latvia became independent, I remember there was a big press conference. Let’s bombard journalists with questions: “Ulya, tell me, how is your life now?” “Oh,” I answer, “now I can tell you anything!” Journalists laugh: “Yes, we knew before that you were professional athletes, but you never cracked!”
It was a difficult time not only in sports. In 1984 they were preparing and preparing for the Olympics, and suddenly - a boycott! For us it was last chance win Olympic gold. The skills of the American women grew very quickly, and they would not have given us another victory. But it wasn't meant to be. However, I already have enough medals.
- Have you often encountered unsportsmanlike behavior on the sports field?
In those sports where there are no electronic scoreboards that record results, for example, as in athletics, - this is a common thing! Where there are referees on the court, there can always be a mistake, often intentional. How many cases there were! For example, at the 1983 World Championships in Sao Paulo. At all world championships our main rivals were Americans. And our entire main team in the first half of the game received 3-4 fouls, which were not even mentioned. I remember, I took out the ball, and a mulatto girl, number 10, sat on me, I passed the ball, our team went forward, scored, and the referee whistled - the goal was not counted - and pointed at me - foul! My eyes darkened with indignation! We just got 6-7 points ahead! During the break, coach Alekseeva approached Secretary General FIBA said bluntly: “If you judge this way, you will no longer be a secretary.” He talked to the judges and they became softer. After all, the task was clearly to sue!
And there were plenty of such things at internal competitions! Sometimes I freaked out and told the judges: “You are cheating, you are not letting me play basketball. If so, you will go to the USSR national team instead of me, but I won’t go again!” On the whole I played correctly, although they tried to incapacitate me with the most different ways: they beat and pinched. The feet were pressed so hard that the nails turned black. They even ordered shoes for me a size larger so that my feet would get less weight.
- What qualities are important for a basketball player? Well, except tall, Certainly…
You need talent and your head to work well. After all, decisions have to be made in a split second, you have to think quickly. You know, I noticed that in the American team, at least before, the point guard was always a white athlete. Because black people good physics, they are strong, but white-skinned people think better. They may not throw balls and run as well, but they control the ball better during the rally. In women's sports, it is not strength techniques that are especially important, but tactics.
- Has anyone had to use cunning tactics to get into the Union team?
There was, of course, intense competition in the national team - there was a line of people wanting to play in it. But those who were selected had to work until they sweat. I remember we lived in Sukhumi for a training camp, and even in the evening the heat was 30 degrees. But you have to do 20 laps around the stadium - and that’s just a warm-up! We called general physical training training “hot workshop”. They were patient because getting into the national team meant both international competitions and trips abroad. Although now athletes receive millions under contracts, but we left with practically no money. They flew to America for 20 days and received 20 dollars. And they were happy! I always loved music - with this money I bought myself records, at least one, the Beatles, for example. I still have a collection - sixty records. And, naturally, they bought fashion magazines. I returned - my friends were already waiting for me, they knew that I would bring them, we would sort out the new items.
- It’s quite difficult for you to choose clothes. How did you solve this problem?
It was possible to get dressed with my parameters only in America - there are many stores there large sizes. Here the dressmaker did most of my sewing. After all, not everything in sports uniform walk, there were receptions at top level. For example, I am the only Latvian athlete who has three orders: the Order of Friendship of Peoples, the Order of the Red Banner of Labor, the Order of Lenin. And everyone handed them to me in Moscow in a solemn atmosphere. In independent Latvia in 1994 I also received highest award- Order of Three Stars. And a year earlier, a letter unexpectedly arrived from America - fill out the paperwork to be accepted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield. The ceremony was very solemn. Each of the participants was brought in a separate limousine, then walked along the red carpet. The attendant helped me get out of the car, I took him by the arm - let's go, but everything was swimming before my eyes, and one thought: just not to fall. I’m standing at the buffet table and suddenly I understand: nature has decreed that all my life I’ve been looking down on people, and here, perhaps for the first time, I found myself among men who are taller than me. It was so unusual! Americans, of course, know how to organize celebrations - it’s unforgettable! In 1999, I was inducted into the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. American athletes don’t dress up very much, but I was in a dress and looked like a queen among them. One basketball player came on stage and was asked: “What stopped you from becoming an Olympic champion?” She points at me: “Yes, Ulya Semyonova is sitting here in the front row - that’s who bothered me!”
IOC President Jacques Rogge, during his visit to Riga, presented Ulyana Semenova with memorial sign Olympic Committee
In America they love me. I remember in 2002 I was invited to another event, and my passport was about to expire. They got everyone on their feet and quickly made a new passport. I fly to New York and at the control I give two passports, I explain: here is the new one, here is the old one, and here is a visa for 10 years. The border guard’s eyes widened: “Why do you need two passports? I would let you through without a passport and without a visa!” For them, people inducted into the Hall of Fame are something special. People recognized me on the streets and came up to me: Semjonova, Semjonova!
- Were you valued in the same way in the Union?
I still have some resentment towards Soviet Union- for how I had to end my sports career in the national team. It was in 1986, I was preparing for the World Championships in Moscow. During the preparation process, the national team coach changed: Lidiya Alekseeva was removed and Yachmenev was appointed from Dynamo Novosibirsk. And our TTT in the USSR Championship has always been Dynamo’s main competitor. We are first, they are second, and they could not overtake us. Yachmenev, for obvious reasons, did not like me. And when he was appointed, he immediately said: “Semyonov will not be on the team.” And I already bought a plane ticket to Moscow, the last fees are left. And suddenly the team doctor calls and says: “Ulyasha, such a thing, the coach has changed. You’re not included in the squad...” I was shocked. At that time in the USSR Championship I was the best in points, the best in free throws, the best in rebounding balls. And with such indicators, they didn’t take me to the national team! I went to hand over my ticket to the sports committee - they don’t understand anything, there’s a silent question in their eyes. I answer: “Call Moscow for an explanation.” The representative of the State Sports Committee kept trying to persuade me, he didn’t give me rest for two weeks: “Ulya, go to the training camp...” I said: “No, thank you. I played in the Union national team for 18 years, and you kicked me.” At least they thanked them and gave them a bouquet of flowers - I think this is how the players should be seen off. Nothing like this! They instructed the doctor to notify me... Even now I hate to remember this. In general, that time I went to watch the competition as a spectator - probably for the first time in my life in such an unusual role. The Americans saw me, came up to talk, and when they found out that I wouldn’t play, one of them jumped for joy: “That’s it, we are champions!” Of course, many sympathized. The Czech coach came up: “Yes, in Russia you always have a little something - the coach starts throwing out players... Eh, if it were possible, they would take you away, you would play for us!” I couldn’t come to my senses for three months, I was even shaking. Ours then took second place - and even then with great difficulty. The Americans were the first after all!
- You left the national team, but did not leave big sport...
After that I also played TTT. And in 1987 she became the first swallow - the first Soviet athlete who went abroad under a contract. I don’t know why this happened. The beginning of perestroika also played a role. When I began to seriously express my desire to play abroad, the State Sports Committee said: there is one place... In general, through some of its channels, Moscow offered me Spain. How, what, what - no one knew the details. But everyone around me supported me: “That’s right, Ulya, well done, come on!” I signed a contract and left to play for the Tintoretto club. Since my arrival, the team has made great progress: in the Spanish Championship it moved from 12th place to 2nd. It was a sensation, everyone was terribly happy. We had excellent chances to become champions of Spain. I don’t want to take credit for it, because one player in the field is not a warrior, but sometimes it can turn the tide. You could say they prayed for me there. But it all ended in one moment. I'm used to playing on a wooden floor, on parquet. And the Spaniards have concrete covered with linoleum. This coating has now been abandoned as it is too hard. And then, of course, it was unusual, but I tried not to pay attention. And suddenly the Achilles on my left leg started to hurt. I thought I pulled it during the morning cross-country. But suddenly during training, as I remember now, on January 2, I jump, I fall - and that’s it, my ankle flew off, the bone broke off. At first I didn’t realize the seriousness of the injury, I still continued to play, then this bone was crushed into eight parts. This injury forced him to retire from the sport. At the airport they saw me off and cried, the president of the club said: “You made everyone fall in love with you. How many American girls played with us, but such warm relations did not have". I myself was upset when I left: I spent these few months in Spain like in a fairy tale, I realized what it means to live and train in decent conditions. But I already knew that I wouldn’t return.
By the way, under the contract I was entitled to a decent amount while working in Spain, but Moscow took the money and sent only $400. They paid for my housing, but it was very difficult to live on this money - at that time the unemployment benefit was about the same. But I’m a woman, in addition to food, I need to buy perfume, some cosmetics, and clothes. I went, as they say, to earn money. As a result, she returned home with zero in her wallet. True, the Spaniards gave me a video camera. But Moscow wanted to take that one away too: I had the right to accept gifts only no more than 50 dollars, and if it was more, I had to hand it over to the Soviet embassy. Anything could happen... Familiar tennis players told me: they were going to go to Switzerland for a tournament, knowing in advance the amount for the performance, but they had already left ahead Soviet officials and they took the money into their hands. Abroad, when they understood this system, they stopped giving money to officials and said: “We will pay the athletes ourselves.”
And when, upon returning from Spain, I caused a scandal because of lost fees, athletes from all sports called me: “Hold on, we support you!” Essentially, I set a precedent. It was hard, I thought I couldn’t stand it. But, probably, among other things, this also made me strong, I received good training. Both on the court and in life.
They said about Soviet sports that victory at any cost was important, and that’s why they experimented on athletes.
I heard about it. Nowadays this is done even more often, because modern medicine provides a lot of opportunities. But when I was in basketball it was strict about doping: at the European, World and Olympic Games our coach forbade us even to drink Coca-Cola in case they found too much caffeine. If you have a headache, the doctor only gave you a pill through the trainer. We didn't need doping. We were a head or two taller and stronger than the others. So why unnecessary problems? In other sports - yes, we knew what they were using. In rowing, in athletics, in weightlifting. Some were given conditions: if you don’t dope, you won’t get into the national team. Many did this voluntarily. If someone says that they didn’t know, this is deceit; this does not happen.
- Did the coaches control your personal life - marriages, the birth of children?
Of course, if an athlete falls in love, you can immediately feel it - she becomes soft and lyrical. I remember one of them, her boyfriend came to the European Championships in Hungary. We play the next day, and she complete zero. As for the birth of children, this is individual types In sports, an athlete can plan, but in team sports, they will find a replacement for you, and that’s all. So everyone decided for themselves. Many of our girls were married. Sasha Ovchinnikova, for example, married Sasha Belov. She is under 1.90, very pretty, he is 2 meters, they were a beautiful couple. He, unfortunately, passed away early.
Of course, I also had fans, among them very wealthy foreigners. But, firstly, the question of my moving abroad was often raised, which is unacceptable for me. And secondly, I wasn’t very sure that it was me who was needed, and not the famous athlete Ulyana Semenova. In general, I think: is it really necessary, this personal life? I know many family people, whose lives are far from happy. Fate gave me much more. I am not alone - I do not have time to respond to all the invitations that I receive. So I can’t call myself a failure in this sense.
- Did you know what you would do after finishing your sports career?
I finally left big sport in 1989 - after Spain I also signed a contract in France, but a few months later I realized that I couldn’t play due to an injury, I broke the contract... The Latvian state helped me - they performed an expensive operation and assigned me a personal pension. There's no need to complain.
Ulyana's favorite hobby is picking mushrooms. But even in this she loves to win - she must certainly score more than her friends...
They called me into politics. I only had time to make excuses: they say, I’m not ready. In 1994, I was nevertheless elected to the Riga Duma from the Latvijas Tselsh party, but I was not elected, and I... was happy. Then many acquaintances admitted: “Ulechka, we were afraid of losing you, so we didn’t vote for you!” If I were chosen, I would have to break myself a lot. I played honestly in sports, but political games are not my thing. I didn’t want to get into coaching either. By that time I was tired of both basketball and sports. My nerves were on edge. Since the early 90s, I started working with the social fund of the Latvian Olympic Committee. At first I felt strange: after all, they always took care of me, and now suddenly I was bothering. At first I had 30 wards, then it became 50, then 80, now there are 180 of them - former Latvian athletes who need help. Since 2000, our foundation has been paying Olympic champions 200 lats monthly (about 12 thousand rubles - “Results”) - this is not bad. Once the former president of the country, Vaira Vike-Freiberga, told me: “Your job is not easy, Ulya.” But I have no way back - only forward.
- Do you regret that you devoted your life to sports?
Not at all. True, sometimes they tell me: in current conditions, you would be a millionaire! Well, yes, I would be rich. But there are always two sides to the coin. My wealth is in my soul and in my friends and loved ones - this cannot be taken away. I've traveled half the world. I’ve been to Italy forty times, to America twenty-five times, I know Paris better than Old Riga. I’d rather go somewhere in Latvia or go pick mushrooms - I really love this thing...
Ulyana Gromova was a determined, brave underground worker, distinguished by her firmness of convictions and her ability to instill confidence in others. These qualities manifested themselves with particular force during the most tragic period of her life, when in January 1943 she ended up in fascist dungeons.
Ulyana Matveevna Gromova was born on January 3, 1924 in the village of Pervomaika, Krasnodonsky district. There were five children in the family, Ulya was the youngest. Father, Matvey Maksimovich, often told the children about the glory of Russian weapons, about famous military leaders, about past battles and campaigns, instilling in children pride in their people and their Motherland. Mother, Matryona Savelyevna, knew many songs, epics, and was a real folk storyteller.
In 1932, Ulyana went to first grade at Pervomaisk School No. 6. She studied excellently, moved from class to class with Certificates of Merit. “Gromova is rightfully considered the best student in her class and school,” said former director School No. 6 I. A. Shkreba. - Of course, she has excellent abilities, high development, but the main role belongs to work - persistent and systematic. She studies with soul and interest. Thanks to this, Gromova’s knowledge is wider and her understanding of phenomena is deeper than that of many of her fellow students.”
Ulyana read a lot, was a passionate fan of M. Yu. Lermontov and T. G. Shevchenko, A. M. Gorky and Jack London. She kept a diary where she wrote down expressions she liked from the books she had just read.
In 1939, Gromova was elected a member of the academic committee. In March 1940, she joined the Komsomol. She successfully completed her first Komsomol assignment - a counselor in a pioneer detachment. She carefully prepared for each gathering, made clippings from newspapers and magazines, and selected children's poems and stories.
Ulyana was a tenth-grader when the Great Patriotic War began. By this time, as I. A. Shkreba recalled, “she had already developed firm concepts about duty, honor, and morality. She is a strong-willed nature.” She was distinguished by a wonderful sense of friendship and collectivism. Together with her peers, Ulya worked in the collective farm fields and cared for the wounded in the hospital. In 1942 she graduated from school.
During the occupation, Anatoly Popov and Ulyana Gromova organized a patriotic group of youth in the village of Pervomaika, which became part of the Young Guard. Gromova is elected a member of the headquarters of the underground Komsomol organization. She takes an active part in preparing the military operations of the Young Guards, distributes leaflets, collects medicines, works among the population, agitating Krasnodon residents to disrupt the plans of the invaders to supply food and recruit young people to Germany.
On the eve of the 25th anniversary of the Great October Revolution, together with Anatoly Popov, Ulyana hung a red flag on the chimney of mine No. 1-bis.
Ulyana Gromova was a determined, brave underground worker, distinguished by her firmness of convictions and her ability to instill confidence in others. These qualities manifested themselves with particular force during the most tragic period of her life, when in January 1943 she ended up in fascist dungeons. As Valeria Borts’ mother, Maria Andreevna, recalls, Ulyana spoke with conviction about the fight in the cell: “We must not bend in any conditions, in any situation, but find a way out and fight. We can also fight in these conditions, we just need to be more decisive and organized ".
Ulyana Gromova behaved with dignity during interrogations, refusing to give any testimony about the activities of the underground.
"...Ulyana Gromova was hung by her hair, a five-pointed star was cut out on her back, her breasts were cut off, her body was burned with a hot iron and the wounds were sprinkled with salt, she was put on a hot stove. The torture continued for a long time and mercilessly, but she was silent. When, after the next beatings, the investigator Cherenkov asked Ulyana why she behaved so defiantly, the girl replied: “I didn’t join the organization to ask for your forgiveness later; I only regret one thing, that we didn’t have enough time to do! But never mind, perhaps the Red Army will still have time to rescue us!..." From the book by A.F. Gordeev "Feat in the Name of Life"
“Ulyana Gromova, 19 years old, a five-pointed star was carved on her back, her right arm was broken, her ribs were broken” (KGB Archives of the USSR Council of Ministers, d. 100-275, vol. 8).
She was buried in the mass grave of heroes in the central square of the city of Krasnodon.
By decree of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR dated September 13, 1943, Ulyana Matveevna Gromova, a member of the headquarters of the underground Komsomol organization "Young Guard", was posthumously awarded the title of Hero of the Soviet Union.