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Igor SokolovSoviet moving target shooter, Olympic champion.
Date of Birth: 02.02.1958
Country:  Russia |
Content:
- Biography of Igor Sokolov
- Coaching Career and Achievements
- Personal Life and Reflections
- Current Perspectives and Doping in Sports
Biography of Igor Sokolov
Early Life and CareerIgor Alexandrovich Sokolov was born on January 2, 1958, in Ufa, Russia. He grew up to become one of the greatest Soviet shooters in the discipline of moving target shooting. Sokolov achieved immense success in his career, becoming a Master of Sports, Olympic champion, and record holder. In 1980, at the age of 22, Sokolov won the gold medal at the Olympic Games in Moscow in the small-bore rifle shooting event on the moving target "Running Boar," setting a new record. His victory was considered a remarkable achievement, especially since he was not the favored shooter in his team.
Coaching Career and Achievements
After retiring from his competitive career in 1990, Sokolov pursued a coaching career. He completed his studies at the Voronezh Institute of Physical Culture and moved to Moscow. Two years later, he became the head coach of the Russian national shooting team. Sokolov guided his team to three Olympic Games, including the 1996 Atlanta Games and the 2000 Sydney Games. Under his guidance, his athletes achieved notable success, with Alexander Blinov and Dmitry Lykin winning silver and bronze medals, respectively, at the 2004 Athens Games. Sokolov also coached numerous European and world champions, such as Irina Izmalkova, Yuri Ermolenko, and Maxim Stepanov.
Personal Life and Reflections
Despite living in Moscow, Sokolov has not forgotten his roots in Ufa. He visits his parents and friends there every summer. Regarding his own Olympic victory, Sokolov considers it a combination of natural talent, hard work, and the support of his coach, Anatoly Bannikov. He reflects on the overwhelming emotions he experienced upon winning his gold medal, feeling both disbelief and immense gratitude. Sokolov acknowledges the challenges of being an Olympic champion, with numerous invitations and obligations, but he understands that his victory belongs not only to him but also to his republic and country.
Current Perspectives and Doping in Sports
As a former athlete and coach, Sokolov is well aware of the importance of fair play in sports. He believes that the strict doping control measures implemented today make it highly risky for athletes to resort to prohibited substances. Sokolov emphasizes that his athletes always prioritize their health and carefully examine the composition of any supplements they consider taking. He acknowledges that occasional doping scandals may occur, but he believes that they do not define the integrity of the entire sport.
