She began competing competitively whilst still a teenager, and at the age of 18 was selected for her first Paralympics, when she was chosen to represent Russia at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens.
She began competing competitively whilst still a teenager, and she competed in both middle and long distance events. Pautova then switched to middle-distance events, and at the age of 18 she was selected for her first Paralympics, chosen to represent Russia at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens.