[1] She is a three-time Olympian (1996, 2000, and 2004), an eighth-place finalist at the European Championships (1997), and a former Ukrainian record holder in the 200 m freestyle and individual medley.

[2][3] In 1998, Lapunova ordered a four-year suspension from FINA, after she was tested positive for the banned metandienone metabolite.

[4] The Ukrainian Swimming Federation later reinstated her for an appeal in order to compete at the succeeding Olympics.

On her second Olympic appearance in Sydney 2000, Lapunova extended her program by qualifying for three swimming events.

She eclipsed her personal best and a FINA B-cut of 2:02.30 in the 200 m freestyle from the World Championships in Madrid, Spain.