Olga Korbut, who competed at her first Olympics in 1972, was popular with fans and the … Olga Korbut,a former Soviet gymnast whose performances dazzled the world at the 1972 Munich Games, has sold her Olympic medals and … Forty years ago, a tiny pigtailed gymnast from the Soviet Union was the darling of the Munich Olympics. Nationality: Russian. Olga Korbut Wins Hearts And Medals in Munich 1972 Olga Korbut, a new era in women’s artistic gymnastics At the Munich 1972 Olympic Games, 17-year-old Olga Korbut captivated the world with her daring acrobatics and her raw displays of emotion. Olga Korbut captured three gold medals and one silver at the l972 games. With her small frame, she was nicknamed 'the Sparrow from Minsk' Korbut showed off … Korbut ushered in an era of gymnastics dominated by young, lithe women. Profession: Gymnast. Why Famous: Olga Korbut burst onto the world gymnastic scene at the 1972 Munich Olympics and revolutionizing women's gymnastics in the process. Olga Korbut, the former Soviet gymnast who first backflipped into history at the 1972 Munich games, has sold off her Olympic medals. There was a time when Olga Korbut could not have bought a meal if … TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers.