Elena Dementieva was all tears at the Beijing 2008 Olympics after being declared the champion of the single women’s tennis tournament. Though this wasn’t Elena’s first time to win a medal for Russia in an Olympic game, it is her first to receive a gold medal. In the 2004 Olympics, Elena Dementieva brought home the silver medal for Russia. This time around, she brings home with her the gold medal.
With the coming US Open, Elena might not receive the warmest of all welcomes because she just can’t help but remind everyone that she is the champion of the women’s tennis competition. Elena even stated that winning an Olympic gold medal is better than winning in a Grand Slam. Nobody can blame Elena for being so hyped up over her victory. This is her biggest achievement in her career as she hasn’t been able to win in a Grand Slam, reaching only as far as the finals and semi-finals.
Elena Dementieva’s Olympic gold medal win was against fellow Russian tennis player, Dinara Safina who just happens to be everyone’s bet to win the Olympic gold medal. Elena Dementieva has already played against Dinara Safina in the French Open and lost. The fact that Elena Dementieva wanted the Olympic gold medal more, Dinara Safina might have been a major factor for Elena’s victory. However, this isn’t a sad moment for Russia as the country boasts of a podium sweep in the women’s singles tennis competition in 100 years. Elena Dementieva won the gold medal, Dinara Safina won the silver medal and Vera Zvonareva won the bronze medal.