Swimmer Salnikov Vladimir. Biography, achievements, photo

In the history of high performance sports in a specialthe role of the personality, the character of the athlete who develops physical culture, inventing new elements and perfecting the technique is important. Such athletes through inhuman efforts and titanic labor make the competition more spectacular and raise the bar of human capabilities to incredible heights.

Одни взлетают на пьедестал один только раз и remain one line in the Olympic movement. Others, and their units, from pedestal to pedestal, prove that there is no limit to the diamond human spirit and its results. It was this athlete who entered his name in the history of swimming and, becoming a record holder, left the sport undefeated. His name is Vladimir Salnikov, a swimmer. The biography of this famous person will surprise anyone.

How it all began

Vladimir Valerievich was born in the SovietLeningrad city. It happened on May 21, 1960. But not this date, he himself considers the main in the formation of his sports career, and a summer day visiting his grandmother, when a seven-year-old boy decided to learn to swim at all costs to prove what he is worth, to the village children who were splashing in the river. Already in 1968, he became involved in the swimming pool under the direction of Petrov Gleb Georgievich. Together with him, Salnikov Vladimir trained hard and became a candidate for the master of sports. Freestyle has become the main for the young athlete. By the age of 13, he moved to Koshkin Igor Mikhailovich into a group of more powerful guys. And again the challenge, and again overcoming oneself, long-term non-stop work. Incredible dedication and self-discipline led to the fact that Vladimir Salnikov from the "catching up" in the promising group took the lead!

Life in sport

Kaleidoscope of further competitions and achievementsIt is difficult to put in one human, sporting life. It was impossible for anyone, but not for Vladimir Salnikov! In 16 years at the Montreal Olympics, he took 5th place. You ask about what is the achievement here, because you did not reach for the medals? Weak? The result, which showed Salnikov Vladimir in these competitions, has become a new record in Europe! From that moment on, the world’s competitors did not forget about the Soviet athlete for a minute. And he laid out in the pool and lived from start to start.

World gold

The first European gold Salnikov Vladimirwon in 1977 at a distance of 1.5 km freestyle. From this championship, the piggy bank of international medals was regularly filled. At the 1978 World Championship Vladimir Salnikov was unstoppable. In Berlin 2 gold (1500 and 400) and 1 silver (4 relay in 200 each) medals were won.

В 1980 году биография Владимира Сальникова I immediately flashed three-time Olympic gold (1500, 400 and 4 each 200)! Despite the fact that not all athletes came to the Moscow Olympics because of the boycott, the superiority of the Soviet swimmer did not cause anyone to doubt. Proof of the leading position were the international competitions, on which he occupied the first steps of the podium, and the world record set at a distance of 1500 m.

The victorious triumph continued in the Championship1981 Europe: 2 gold (1500 and 4 by 200) and 1 silver (400). The World Swimming Championships in 1982 turned out to be the same. The competition won a silver medal in the relay and 2 gold medals in the individual championship (1500 and 400). The European Championship in Rome (1983) was no exception. The athlete added a couple of gold medals in the personal piggy bank at 1500 and 400 meters freestyle.

Crucial moment

Being in excellent sports form VladimirSalnikov was preparing for 1984. He planned to successfully perform at the Summer Olympics in the United States and end a brilliant career. The sports community also predicted a victory for him at the "crown" distances of 1500, 400 and in the relay.

Thunder out of the blue was the decision of the USSRboycott the American Olympics. The collapse of personal hopes and ambitions, wasted forces - a young athlete would think so, transferring his plans 4 years ahead to the next competition.

Vladimir Salnikov was already an "age" swimmer,and maintain the leadership level of results up to 28 years old - there was little hope alone. Despite the years and the change of coach (Koshkin’s place was taken by Vladimir’s wife), it was decided to stay in sports and prepare for the 1988 Olympics.

Water test

It is believed that the saying "pass the fire,water and copper pipes "implies passing certain tests. Under fiery difficulties are meant battles, battles comparable to competitive battles. Copper pipes in the life of an athlete were also enough: after the Moscow Olympics, he was incredibly popular, recognizable, gave interviews and attended press conferences.

And now a new water test has begun:time, oblivion, routine. An athlete with titles and regalia was not particularly promising. Diseases and unsuccessful starts in the international arena called into question the feasibility of participating in the Summer Olympics.

Second time in one river

About the Olympics in Seoul sports commentators,coaches and swimmers, even after many years, speak emotionally. A swimmer of this level earned unconditional respect. He was a passing legend, and was no longer a favorite. They did not expect accomplishments and awards from him. Little was believed in him and did not hope at all.

The more enchanting was the victory at the most difficult distance.1.5 km! Tribunes exploded ovations. The first to finish is Vladimir Salnikov (swimmer)! A biography cannot fully reflect the level of admiration and general enthusiasm that has arisen after the distance. But the athlete himself remembered forever how standing colleagues from around the world applauded him in the Olympic canteen. This recognition of the achievements was expensive.

World Legend

There are athletes who, taking off on the worldpedestal once, forever leave the starry sky. And there are legendary stayers who sharpen sporting achievements from year to year. Overcoming pain, injury, illness, fame and disbelief. They go undefeated, unbroken. Vladimir Salnikov became such a great sportsman. Photos can not convey a hundredth of the significance of his achievements. Multiple victories are inscribed in golden letters in the history of the development of world sport. Four-time Olympic champion. Four-time winner of world championships. Five-time European champion.

Especially significant were the records setthis great athlete. He became the first "emerging" of 15 minutes at a distance of 1500 meters, overcoming the most important and qualitative, and psychological line, which for many years did not submit to strong athletes. His record has not been broken for nearly a decade.

Another “eternal dream” that came true was the 8-minute bar in the 800-meter voyage. And she fell under the onslaught of the great athlete in 1978 in Berlin.

Vladimir Salnikov swimming lifted to anotherlevel, setting more than 20 records, 13 of them are world-class (six at the 400-meter distance, four at the 800-meter distance and three at the 1500-meter distance). USSR champion became 20 times. In 1993, he became a member of the World Swimming Hall of Fame. This surname is known and respected all over the world!

Life outside the pool

The athlete is implemented not only on the sportsA field: received a higher education (GDOIFK), became a candidate of pedagogical sciences, married Bassova Marina Nikolaevna (1957), raised a son Vladimir (1988). He had a lot of work in the labor field: he was the coach of the national swimming team, the vice-president of the Swimming Federation, he was a member of the Soviet Olympic Committee, was engaged in business. In 1991 he became a member of the International Swimming Federation. In 2009, Salnikov was elected president of the All-Russian Swimming Federation.

The biography of a great man turns outlegendary. And they made her not so natural talent and luck, but incredible perseverance, everyday inhuman work, tremendous dedication and desire to transcend their own strength. And every victory is the result of total commitment.

This is the only way to make a unique, great, legendary!