Sixty-four years ago today, on June 16, 1961 (May 4, 1961 lunar calendar), Soviet dancer Nureyev defected to the West. Dancer Nureyev Nureyev was a soloist with the Soviet Union's Kirov Ballet in Leningrad. He defected to the West before the opening of the ballet's performance season at Covent Garden in June 1961, causing huge repercussions. On June 16, 1961, "Please protect me", Rudolf-Nureyev suddenly shrugged off the Soviet guards who were following him and quickly ran towards a group of Parisian police. The 23-year-old ballerina made the dramatic defection as he prepared to board a flight at Bourges airport to meet his dance partner. According to authorities, his asylum request is likely to be granted. Nureyev has been dancing since he was 13 and joined the Kirov Dance Company as a soloist in 1958. Last year, he was designated the male lead dancer. Although he was the controversial best male dancer in the Soviet Union, in the West, he was truly excellent. Nureyev had exceptional dance skills, strength and enterprising spirit, and he defected despite knowing that Soviet officials knew what he intended to do. Nureyev starred in "Swan Lake" Nureyev starred in "Swan Lake"