Romuld Klim Hammer thrower Country: Belarus

Romauald Klim: Biography

Romauald Klim was a Soviet Belarusian athlete and coach who made a significant impact on the sport of athletics. He started his athletic career at an age when most athletes are considered veterans and are encouraged to retire, making way for younger competitors. However, during the 50s and 60s, the principle followed in Soviet sports was based on merit rather than age, giving preference to those who were currently stronger rather than younger.

Continuing the Belarusian tradition in hammer throwing, Klim not only continued but excelled in the sport. While Mikhail Krivonosov won a silver Olympic medal and Vasily Rudenkov won a gold, Klim managed to achieve both. However, his sporting journey was not an easy one. Although it may have been a happy one, it was by no means easy.

Klim entered the sport at an age when most athletes are considered veterans and are encouraged to retire. Fortunately, during the 50s and 60s, the principle followed in Soviet sports was based on merit rather than age, giving preference to those who were currently stronger rather than younger. This allowed Klim to join the national team and compete for Olympic medals. He became a medalist in the Soviet Union Championship at the age of 30. In contrast, Krivonosov became the European champion at 25 and an Olympic medalist at 27.

However, everything Klim achieved was solid and fundamental. Once he reached a certain threshold, he stood firmly on it, preparing to take the next step. This determination was recognized and appreciated by the national team coaches. Despite finishing 6th in the USSR Championship in 1964, losing by about five meters to the winner, Klim was given a chance to compete at the Olympic Games in Tokyo. There, he set a new USSR record, which simultaneously became an Olympic record. This relatively unknown athlete from Vitebsk, Belarus, became an Olympic champion.

It took Klim two more years to win his first USSR Championship. In the same year, he achieved a golden double by winning the European Championship. In the following years, Klim became a three-time USSR champion, and at the age of 38, he won a silver medal at the 1968 Olympics and the 1969 European Championship. Throughout his career, he set a total of 10 USSR records, just one less than the record holder, M. Krivonosov, who was considered a record-breaking athlete among record-breakers.