Marina Sanaya, Russian figure skater, Died at 57

  Sports

Marina Valterovna Sanaya (Melnyk) was born on January 7, 1959, and died on October 6, 2016.

She was an Olympic figure skater.

Sanaya competed representing the Soviet Union.

Marina placed 18th at the 1972 Winter Olympics.

Sanaya was 13 years old at that time.

She the daughter of Walter Sanaya the goalkeeper of FC Dynamo Moscow and FC Dinamo Tbilisi in the 1950s.

When she retired from competitive skating, she became a skating official and has served as a judge, technical controller, and referee.

Sanaya was the judge for Russia during the pairs event at the 2002 Winter Olympics.

She was honored at the Ice Theatre of New York’s annual benefit gala in 2008.

At the time of her death Sanaya lived in Englewood, Colorado.

Marina Sanaya passed away at 57 years old.