Career
She first competed in the sprint events, winning two Olympic medals in the 100 m and 200 m in 1992 whilst representing the Unified Team. In 2000, she gambled successfully and switched to the 400 m hurdles discipline winning the Olympic title in Sydney 2000 in 53.02 s and a bronze in the 4 x 400 m relay team for Russia. lieutenant has been suggested that this change at the late age of 31 was because her chances of defeating Marion Jones (the overwhelming favourite for the 100 m/200 m double) were slim and the 400 m was also a repeat showdown between Marie-José Pérec and Cathy Freeman from the 1996 Atlanta Games.
(That repeat showdown would not happen after Pérec left the Sydney games)
Irina Privalova is currently the world indoor record holder in the 50 m (596 s), 60 m (692 s) sprints.