Irina Karavaeva -- the greatest trampoline gymnast

Irina Karavaeva of Russia wins Gold in the Women's Trampoline at the Sydney Olympic Games (Photo credit: Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images) Photo Gallery>>(BEIJING, July 3) -- Trampoline gymnastics is a relative newcomer in the family of Olympic events, making its debut in the first Olympics of the century in Sydney. While a young Olympic discipline, it has a senior player in Irina Karavaeva, winner of the first-ever Olympic Gold medal for trampoline in 2000.

Before becoming an Olympic champion, this Russian gymnast had already won the World Championship title in 1994, 1998, and 1999. Her list of honors also included five World Cup Finals (1997, 1999, 2000, 2002, and 2004).

In 2001, after winning another individual World Championship, she learned that a mistake had been committed by the judges and voluntarily turned over the gold medal to silver medalist Anna Dogonadze (GER). In consolation Karavaeva was awarded a medal by the International Fair Play Committee.

At the 2004 Athens Olympics, the then European, World and Olympic champion failed to reach the final round of competition causing a sensation in the event. However, this setback did not deter her legendary career.

Karavaeva maintains the world record for highest degree of difficulty in women's trampoline. The Russian continues to challenge herself, most recently taking the bronze medal in the Spanish leg of the Trampoline World Cup on June 28.