Pride of St Petersberg is how many people of St. Petersberg described her when I interviewed them to learn about Galina. Galina Yanovna Vecherkovskaya is one of the oldest athletes in the world, who is still active and thriving in her sport- Rowing at age 94. “Air, water, and beautiful nature are the key to my health. I shall never part with Rowing for the rest of my life” she says.

Galina graduated from the High School of Physical Education, followed by the Lesgaft Institute of Physical Education and Sports, through which she was actively engaged in various sports. When she was invited to the Rowing club, she immediately agreed. This is how academic rowing entered her life – “it was one of the elite sports back then, the sport of the strong, brave and hardy” she says. Sports Rowing club "Burevestnik" became a second home for Galina after that. This was the start of all her future victories. She went on to win five European Championships in different races.

At the age of 36, Galina left the sport and gave way to the young, gracefully, beautifully, and without hesitation, as a five-time European champion. However, this was not the end of her sports career. In 2010, Galina picked up the oars again, 48 years later, at age 84. Today Galina Yanovna Vecherkovskaya is the oldest athlete in the world among veterans of sports, who continues to perform at important competitions in rowing across the world. She has amassed 13 gold medals at the World Rowing Championships among veterans of sports. And I would like to believe that she is just getting started. Galina aims to get into the Guinness Book of Records to set the record of longevity of competitive sports life

When she isn't training or competing, Galina goes to museums, theaters, and walks a lot. She aims to always be fit and in a good form. She feels she is a dreamer, and today she not only dreams of driving her boat along the Neva River and showing her excellent sports form but also reminding the city leaders that there are only three of the numerous sports rowing bases left today in Saint Petersburg.

Galina has done a lot to contribute to the community as well: She is a member of the Interregional Public Organization "Union of Women of St. Petersburg and Leningrad region" of the Union of Women of Russia. With her participation, a large number of events aimed at the education of the youth of St. Petersburg were held. Galina has also contributed to the successful implementation of socially significant projects in St Petersburg like: "The health of the nation depends on everyone", "Prevention of child crime through the promotion of family values and sports", "St. Petersburg is a tolerant city”. She regularly interacts with the young people of the city and engages them in discovering the wonderful sport of Rowing.

Recipient of various accolades, Galina rightfully became the winner of the contest "The Woman of the Year" in the nomination "Physical Education and Sports” in 2015 and was awarded the medal of the Union of Women of Russia called "Daughter of the Motherland” in 2020.

While most of us dabble in the limits of what we can’t do, Galina has rowed through all barriers of gender, age, mind, and body. Here is wishing her a rightful entry into the books of World Record, since she’s already a legend in our books.