Alexander Popov is a swimmer (biography of the athlete will be presented below), record holder and four-time winner of the Olympic Games. He also won the European Championships 21 times and became the first at the World Championships six times.
Childhood
The future swimmer Popov was born in the closed city of Sverdlovsk-45 in 1971. The boy's father and mother were simple workers in a secret venture. Alexander is the only child in the family.
In the swimming section, the parents brought their son simply “for health”. They did not even think of making Alexander the Olympic champion. Sport was very carried away by the boy. Soon Popova noticed Galina Vitman, who became his first coach.
Swimming lessons took away more and more time from the boy. Parents were alarmed when Alexander's school grades crawled down. Father even asked him: “Is it time to tie up with sports?” To which the boy replied: “It's too late!”
Study
Volgograd University - this is where Alexander Popov entered after graduation. The swimmer continued his training there. For a long time he swam exclusively on his back. Anatoly Zhuchkov (second coach) considered this style the most suitable for Popov. Time passed, and Alexander, although he was listed in promising athletes, but stood still. Therefore, he found a new mentor - Gennady Turetsky.
It was this coach who revealed the potential of Popov. Turkish in time determined the most suitable style for Alexander - freestyle swimming. In addition, the athlete had all the qualities necessary for the sprinter: elastic muscles, a good sense of water and two-meter growth. Now the potential of the hero of this article was used 100 percent. Soon the first victories came.
The beginning of the way
1991 - the year when Alexander Popov began his sports career. Swimmer went to the European Championship. Competitions were held in Athens. The athlete won four gold medals (two relay races, as well as distances of 50 and 100 meters). This was the beginning of Alexander's magnificent series of victories.
The following year, Popov became a two-time Olympic champion. The athlete brought gold medals from Barcelona. In 1993, Alexander went to the European Championship. And again he won two "gold". In the same year, Popov moved to a permanent residence in Australia.
In 1994, the athlete proved that his victories are not accidental. Alexander twice won the world championship in Rome and broke the world record. A year later, in Vienna, Popov added two more top awards to his piggy bank.
Olympiad
The world famous hero of this article brought the 1996 Olympics, held in Atlanta. Gold at distances of 50 and 100 meters went to the Russian athlete. This is the second Olympics, where Popov left all his rivals behind. But for fans of swimming, the victory in Atlanta became the most memorable and bright. After all, American Gary Hall was considered the favorite of the competition. He was in peak form and in preliminary competitions showed results that were better than Popov's.
The American media were so confident in the victory of their athletes that they openly announced the future triumph of the sprinters Olsson and Hall. Gary himself was very defiant. Alexander was doubly difficult, because mostly American fans were sitting in the stands. Hall also came to support Bill Clinton himself , confident in the triumph of his compatriot. But in the end, Popov became the winner. The disappointment of American fans was huge. But our athlete has become a legend.
Attempt
August 24, 1996 is the date when Alexander Popov suffered in a street brawl. The swimmer, whose biography is published in many sports encyclopedias, accompanied two friends to the metro with his friend Leonid. When they passed through the malls, one of the sellers released an indecent remark about the girls. Alexander and Leonid entered into a skirmish. As a result, swimmer Popov was stabbed in the back with a knife. His kidney and lung were affected. In serious condition, Alexander was taken to one of the capital's hospitals.
The hero of this article was very lucky with the surgeon. Highly risking, Avtandil Manvelidze conducted a complex operation so that it did not affect the athlete's further career. The thing is that, according to the established rules, the surgeon had to make an incision across the muscles. But the doctor went against the rules and cut the muscles across, under the ribs. That is why they remained in excellent functional condition.
New victories
12 months - Alexander Popov (swimmer) recovered exactly after the operation. The family was constantly nearby, and he quickly regained his former form and won two gold medals in Spanish Seville. And in 1998, the athlete won his third gold at the Olympics. At the same time, the International Swimming Federation awarded Alexander the cup as the most outstanding athlete of the decade.
In 2000, the 28-year-old Popov broke the world record at a distance of 50 meters. This was the athlete’s second achievement (he set the first record in a 25-meter pool).
After the Olympics in Sydney, Alexander’s achievements showed a slight decline. In the competitions themselves, he took 6th (50 meters) and 2nd (100 meters) places. But this did not stop Popov. Alexander sailed for another four years. The athlete said in the media that he would like to end his career where he started - in Athens.
Retirement
2005 is the year when Alexander Popov left. The swimmer, whose photo was regularly flashed in the thematic media, remained to work in this near-sports field. Alexander led the Lokomotiv organization and worked on the Olympic Committee. Popov also joined the International Swimming Federation.
The Russian athlete is very impressed with Western journalists, as he is a friendly and positive person. He is fluent in English, impresses with interesting and sound judgments. In 2001, he presented his autobiographical book in France.
Personal life
Canberra is the city where Alexander Popov lived. The swimmer, whose family was with him in Australia, married in 1997. Daria Shmeleva became the chosen one of the athlete. In the past, the girl was also professionally engaged in swimming and even performed at two Olympics. True, not as successful as her famous spouse.
In 1997, the couple had a son, Vladimir. The boy was named in honor of Father Alexander. Three years later, another son appeared - Anton. In his interviews, swimmer Popov many times said that he wanted a boy to continue the dynasty. And fate gave him two sons at once. And in December 2010, the couple also had a daughter - Mia.
Interesting Facts
- Omega is a watch brand whose face Popov was elected. The swimmer, whose biography was presented above, collaborated with her for many years. Moreover, Omega extended the contract with him even after not very successful seasons.
- After moving to Australia, Popova regularly received offers to change citizenship. The athlete was promised all kinds of wealth and huge bonuses. But Alexander was adamant and patriotically rejected all offers. Now the former athlete lives in Moscow.
- The Order of Merit of the 2nd degree - it was this prestigious award that the swimmer Popov received in the late 90s.
- For a long time there was a myth among professional swimmers about limiting the maximum speed of an athlete to the length of his body. But Alexander destroyed this legend, setting several world records. For example, in 2000, Popov sailed 50 meters in 21.64 seconds.