THE FIG IN MOURNING
Nicolaļ Andrianov (RUS)
(14.10.1952 21.03.2011)
A maestro passes on
Nikolaļ Andrianov succumbs to illness
Multiple Olympic and World Champion Nikolaļ Andrianov (RUS) passed away on
March 21, 2011 in his hometown of Vladimir, Russia. He was 58 years old. An
exceptional gymnast, Andrianov single-handedly swept more Olympic medals,
Gold and otherwise, in men's gymnastics than any other athlete in FIG history.
From Munich 1972 to Moscow 1980, he gleaned fifteen medals for the Soviet
Union, seven of which were Gold.
Having grown up a street kid surrounded by poverty, Andrianov harnessed his
strong personality and sacrificed much to climb to the top of his sport; a feat he
would say "saved his life". Powerful and wielding incredible precision, he
performed his exercises with impeccable technical mastery and unheard of
artistic expression.
Following his sporting career, Nikolaļ Andrianov earned a level of renown in
Japan while coaching Naoya Tsukahara, son of Mitsuo, his long-time adversary
and friend. Nikolaļ would lead Naoya to the summit of Mount Olympus the day
Japan took a Team Gold at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.
In 2006, the FIG paid tribute to Andrianov at the festivities marking the
Federation's 125
th
anniversary in Geneva; but today, the Federation bids farewell
to a gentleman, a great champion, and a legend for generations to come.
The FIG extends its sympathy to Andrianov's widow, Ms Liubov Andrianova,
Women's Technical Committee Member.
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