Lipnitskaya

Julia Lipnitskaya is a Russian former competitive figure skater. She was born on June 24, 1998. Lipnitskaya is the youngest Russian Olympic gold medalist, having won the team event at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi at the age of 15. She also won the 2012 World Junior Championships and the 2014 European Championships.

Lipnitskaya began skating at a young age in Yekaterinburg, Russia. Her talent was evident early on, and she quickly rose through the junior ranks. Her innovative style and mature performance quality for her age set her apart. Her breakthrough came in the 2013-2014 season when she secured her spot on the Russian Olympic team. At the Sochi Olympics, her captivating performance to "Schindler's List" in the team event helped secure a gold medal for Russia, making her a national hero and an international sensation.

Following her Olympic success, Lipnitskaya continued to compete but faced challenges with injuries and consistency. She announced her retirement from competitive figure skating in September 2017 at the age of 19, citing recurring health issues. Despite a relatively short career, Lipnitskaya left a significant mark on the sport, particularly for her early achievements and memorable performances at a very young age.