Background
Press, Irina was born on March 10, 1939 in Khar’kov.
Press, Irina was born on March 10, 1939 in Khar’kov.
Graduated from the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers, 1962.
The careers of both Press sisters ended abruptly at the time that gender verification was introduced. Critics have suggested that the Press sisters were male or hermaphrodites. Another allegation was that they were being injected with male hormones in order to make them stronger.
Detractors called them the "Press Brothers".
After retiring from competitions Press earned a degree in physical education and coached at her club Dynamo Moscow. She also took various posts in the Soviet sports administration, such as department head of the Soviet and later Russian State Committee on Physical Culture, Sports and Tourism.
From 2000 and until her death in 2004 she headed the Moscow Committee of Physical Culture and Sports.