Vyacheslav Nikolayevich Ivanov (Russian: Вячеслав Николаевич Иванов; 30 July 1938 – 5 August 2024) was a Soviet rower, and one of the most accomplished rowers of his generation. He crewed for the Soviet Union, and he won the Olympic gold medals in the single sculls class at the 1956 Melbourne Games, the 1960 Rome Games, and the 1964 Tokyo Games.[3]
Ivanov was the first man to win the single sculls event three times in the Olympics. At the time, only Americans Jack Kelly Sr. and Paul Costello and Briton Jack Beresford had won three Olympic gold medals in the sport of rowing (since surpassed by Steve Redgrave and others). The only other person to match Ivanov's achievement and win three gold medals in the single scull is Finland's Pertti Karppinen.[3]
Rowing career
Ivanov started as a boxer, in 1950. In 1952, he combined boxing with rowing, eventually opting for the latter sport. By 1955, at the age of 17, he won the USSR junior championships and finished third in the senior championships, beating the Olympic single scull champion Yuriy Tyukalov. In 1956, he won his first Soviet and European titles[4][5] and an Olympic gold medal. At the Olympics he was placing fourth at the 1500 meter mark. With only 500 meters left, he began a devastating sprint, catching Teodor Kocerka, Jack Kelly Jr., and then Stuart Mackenzie who had been leading the race. At the award ceremony, excited, Ivanov dropped his gold medal into Lake Wendouree, where the race took place. His diving attempts to rescue the medal failed, and the IOC later provided him with a replacement.[6]
After the Olympics Mackenzie consistently defeated Ivanov at the Henley Royal Regatta and at the European Rowing Championships in 1957 and 1958.[6][4][5] Disappointed by his losses, Ivanov was considering retirement, but was brought back to shape by his coach Arkady Nikolayev.[1][2] In 1959 Ivanov regained the European title.[5] He also set a world best time of 6:58.8 for a 2000 m single scull race, becoming the first person to break the seven-minute barrier.[7]
At the 1960 Olympics, Ivanov won again with a blistering sprint, defeating Achim Hill by more than 6 seconds. Mackenzie withdrew because of illness.[8] In 1962, Ivanov won the first ever World Rowing Championship, defeating Mackenzie and Seymour Cromwell.[7] At the 1963 European Rowing Championships, he came fourth.[9] Ivanov faced Hill again at the 1964 Olympics. This time he trailed Hill by 7 seconds with 500 m to go, but finished 3.73 seconds ahead owing to his trademark sprint.[3] Ivanov missed the 1965 European Rowing Championships due to illness.[10] Ivanov was hoping to compete at the 1968 Olympics, but was left out of the Soviet team in favor of a younger rower (Viktor Melnikov). Melnikov failed to reach the Olympic final, while Ivanov retired next year.[1]
In 1960, at the peak of his rowing career, Ivanov graduated from a military school, and in 1969 received his master's degree from the Volgograd Institute of Physical Education. After retiring from competitions he served as a USSR Navy officer and retired in the rank of captain. He then resumed competing in rowing in the masters category.[7]
Ivanov died on 5 August 2024, at the age of 86.[11]
