sentences:  Soldatenko took up athletics in 1962 and became a member of the USSR National Team in 1967.He competed at the 1972 Summer Olympics and won the silver medal.He also won a silver medal at the 1970 World Race Walking Cup, a gold medal at the 1976 World Championships and bronze, gold and silver medals at the European Championships in 1969, 1971 and 1978, respectively.