Career
She was the first IAAF-recognised women"s world record holder in the 10,000 metres with her time of 32:17.20 minutes. She also set an unrecognised world best in the 5000 metres, with 15:24.6 minutes in 1981. Her first successes came under her maiden name, Yelena Chernysheva (also transliterated Elena Chernyshova), and she was the individual bronze medallist and team gold medallist at the 1980 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.
On the track she competed in the 3000 metres.
She was a gold medallist at the 1983 European Athletics Indoor Championships.