Dmitry Vasiliev: biography of an athlete and personal life (photo)

Vasiliev Dmitry Vladimirovich was born in Leningrad on December 8, 1962. From the earliest years the boy loved sports and gave a lot of time to training. Loving parents in every way supported the son. The boy was fond of skiing. It was a passion for him. Then, by chance, he began to study biathlon. That's when the new stage in his life began.

First successful promotion

During the training at the boarding school, I managed to take part in competitions in Murmansk. 15-year-old Dmitry Vasiliev was among the competitors skiers. It was then that he was offered to test his own forces in the shooting. Biathlonists were impressed by the talent of the athlete who hit almost all the targets in the standing and lying position. Upon his arrival in Leningrad, the young man received an offer for a trip to gatherings in Sukhumi. Together with the other biathletes, he successfully demonstrated his talents.

Over the next few years there were constant training sessions, competitions, which gave a powerful push for career growth. The future star was in the Russian national team. Successful performances for DSO "Dynamo" glorified the guy.

Glory of Dmitry Vasiliev

The young man did not even think that there might be an opportunity to show a good result at the Olympics. The future medalist was happy simply because he would attend such a momentous event.

After receiving the status of the Olympic champion, Dmitry Vasiliev, whose photo was decorated with numerous publications, became a star. For him it was very unexpected, because at the age of 18 he took part in cross-country skiing, and in 21 he hit the whole world with his achievements. Since then, the champion did not have problems with shooting. The word "smear" to him could not be applied.

And again victory!

The composition of the team in individual races showed a disappointing result during the games in Sarajevo. However, the final stage of the competition was the relay race. From each team of participants were nominated for 4 athletes. At the first stage, Dmitry Vasiliev was able to break away from rivals for 1 minute and 7 seconds. The second ran Yuri Kashkarov. In general, successfully proved himself, as he continued to occupy the position of leader. The third race was made by Algimantas Shalna, who, although he made 2 misses, but arrived with a margin of 47 seconds from the next team. The last to show their abilities to Bulygin. The lag in 18 seconds was reduced. To the finish came first.

Games in Calgary were also successful. Vasilyev had to run first. His speed and accuracy indicators allowed the team to get a lot of time. The victory was again in the hands of the Russian team.

Undeniable achievements

A distinctive feature of Dmitry among other biathletes is the ability to shoot without a single miss in just 30 seconds. Most need to spend at least 40 seconds. Dmitry Vasiliev, biathlon for which he became a life, could become the only Olympic champion in the world in the classical and skating.

His achievements were competitions in relay races 4 x 7,5 km, which ended in victory. Soviet biathlete took first place in the team in 1984, 1986, 1988. Right after the first large-scale victory he was awarded the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR. In 1984 he was awarded the Order of the Badge of Honor, in 1988 - the Friendship of Peoples.

Feelings after the Olympics

During participation in the Games Vasilyev Dmitry, biathlete at that time already quite famous, was young and ambitious. At his 21st birthday, he set specific goals and progressed towards their realization.

The period of the Olympic Games in Sarajevo was difficult. The biathletes who participated in the competitions did not attend the opening and closing ceremonies. The delegation from Russia included, first of all, officials, athletes in figure skating and other elite species. For Dmitry himself, this arrangement was not clear, because the biathletes brought gold medals to the overall team standings.

However, despite everything, young and promising athletes were able to show a high class. The victory at the Olympic Games became a well-deserved result of the work done. Years of training and restrictions were not in vain. Each participant proudly announced the new status of the winner.

Immediately after the end of the Games, a reception was held with the President. As the invited there were only sportsmen, there were no coaches for biathlon. Such a strange attitude to this species was always. Even despite the growing popularity and the number of medals won.

The Olympic Village is an incredible holiday!

Dmitry Vasiliev assessed the situation as incredibly pleasant and amazing. The Olympic village houses professionals and coaches of various sports. A huge number of famous people, who were previously seen only on the TV screen, are photographed and given autographs.

Impressions of the Olympic Games for him are incomparable to anything, but in terms of sports - it's the same component as in any other competition. For athletes, only the psychological aspect matters. Who of the professionals does not pay attention to him, he wins. In many respects it is the journalists and all this fuss about the favorites that confuses, but our hero staunchly stands apart from all statements, criticism. It is this mood that always helps him to win.

And beggars rely on black caviar

Dmitry more than once remembered and told a story that happened to athletes from Russia at the Olympics. In the general dining room for all participants put large tables. The Swedish table made it possible to take food as much as necessary. The team always gave on the road banks with black caviar, each contained 2 kg.

Once the athletes brought a delicacy to the dining room, sat down at the table and started eating, and then they noticed the bewilderment in the eyes of others, because in the representations of the majority, Russia is a country of beggars. Vasiliev regretted for a long time that there was nothing to photograph such a marvelous moment.

Biathlon is an accident

And now about how our hero became a biathlete. Dmitry Vasiliev was a skier. The situation changed after a bad performance at the festival of the North. A chance meeting with a friend, who was also a skier and soon began to show good results in biathlon, gave the opportunity to try his hand at shooting. A rifle of a familiar athlete struck all the targets. The coach, learning about the results, offered to professionally engage in biathlon. Dmitry was taken to the CS Dynamo, where only very gifted athletes could get to. Later there was a trip to Sukhumi, where games were held in football, shooting, rest.

Crushing career and personal life

After winning gold medals in 1984 and 1988 at the Olympics, Dmitry became world famous. At home, his achievements were appreciated. Vasiliev continued to be an exemplary sportsman, and in 1999 took the post of general manager of the Union of Russian Biathlonists. Labor activity in this status lasted until 2002. In 2009, he was offered to become a member of the Biathlon Union, and from 2011 the athlete led the Biathlon Athletics Federation in St. Petersburg, becoming its president. Career growth, successes - everything became possible thanks to huge diligence, dedication and support of the family.

Dmitry's main source of inspiration is his wife. Her love, care, attention in all life stages helped to overcome all sorts of difficulties. Dmitry Vasilyev's wife has always been and will be his strong support. Despite the strong relationship, the spouses rarely appear together at events, meetings, celebrations. Only sometimes the daughter of the Olympic champion accompanies him. Dmitry Vasiliev always talks about biathlon, and hides information about his personal life from journalists.