Sergey Litvinov (athlete, born 1958)

Sergey Nikolaevich Litvinov (Russian: Серге́й Никола́евич Литви́нов; 23 January 1958 – 19 February 2018) was a Russian hammer thrower and athletics coach. He competed at the 1980 Summer Olympics and the 1988 Summer Olympics, missing the 1984 Summer Olympics due to the Soviet boycott, and won a silver and a gold medal, respectively. He also won two world titles, in 1983 and 1987.[1] After retiring from competitions he coached elite hammer throwers including Ivan Tsikhan and his son Sergey.

Sergey Litvinov
Litvinov in 1980
Personal information
Native nameСергей Николаевич Литвинов
Full nameSergey Nikolaevich Litvinov
NationalityRussian
Born(1958-01-23)23 January 1958
Tsukerova Balka, Krasnodar Krai, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Died19 February 2018(2018-02-19) (aged 60)
Sochi, Krasnodar Krai, Russia
Height1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Weight106 kg (234 lb)
Sport
Country Soviet Union (1980–1991)
 Russia (1992–1993)
SportTrack and field
EventHammer throw
ClubSKA Rostov
Achievements and titles
Personal best86.04 m (1986)
Medal record
Representing the  Soviet Union
Olympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1988 Seoul Hammer
Silver medal – second place 1980 Moscow Hammer
World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1983 Helsinki Hammer
Gold medal – first place 1987 Rome Hammer
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 1986 Stuttgart Hammer
Bronze medal – third place 1982 Athens Hammer

Career

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Throughout his career Litvinov battled with Yuriy Sedykh. Litvinov set three world records, the last being 84.14 metres in June 1983.[2] However, Sedykh improved the world record to 86.34 m in 1984 and to 86.74 m at the 1986 European championships.[3] In 1986 Litvinov threw 86.04 metres which remained his personal best. This result puts him second on the all-time performer's list, behind Sedykh. He also coached Ivan Tsikhan.[4]

Litvinov finished second behind Sedykh and ahead of Jüri Tamm in the 1980 Summer Olympics. After missing the 1984 Games because of the Soviet boycott, he won the gold in 1988 ahead of Sedykh; his throw of 84.80 m remains the Olympic record.[5]

Litvinov's son Sergey is also an elite hammer thrower.[5]

Death

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Litvinov was reported to have died on 19 February 2018 in Sochi at the age of 60. It was reported by Russia's athletics federation that he suddenly fell from his bicycle as he cycled home from a coaching session, and an ambulance crew was unable to revive him.[6][5]

International competitions

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Source[7]
Year Competition Venue Position Notes
Representing   Soviet Union
1980 Olympic Games Moscow, USSR 2nd 80.64 m
1982 European Championships Athens, Greece 3rd 78.66 m
1983 World Championships Helsinki, Finland 1st 82.68 m
1984 Friendship Games Moscow, Soviet Union 3rd 81.30 m
1986 Goodwill Games Moscow, Soviet Union 2nd 84.64 m
European Championships Stuttgart, West Germany 2nd 85.74 m
1987 World Championships Rome, Italy 1st 83.06 m = CR
1988 Olympic Games Seoul, South Korea 1st 84.80 m = OR
Representing   Russia
1993 World Championships Stuttgart, Germany 7th 78.56 m

References

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  1. ^ "Olympic gold medalist Sergei Litvinov dies at age 60". ESPN. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  2. ^ "Sergey Litvinov". Sports Reference. Archived from the original on 17 April 2020. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ^ "86.74 is going to stand for a long time". ESPN. 13 June 2011. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Litvinov, former world and Olympic hammer throw champion, dies". IAAF. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Olympic hammer champion 'suddenly fell' and died on ride home". CTV. Press Association. 20 February 2018. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Olympic hammer champion Litvinov passes away". Sports Star Live. AFP. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Sergey Litvinov". IAAF. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
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Records
Preceded by Men's hammer throw world record holder
24 May 1980 – 31 July 1980
Succeeded by
Preceded by Men's hammer throw world record holder
4 June 1982 – 3 July 1984
Succeeded by