The whole world knows about this swimmer thanks to his sports records. This is a man with a capital letter. It is developed comprehensively - it is impossible to list all the qualities that Denis Pankratov possesses. Photos, a brief biography, interesting facts in this article will help you get to know the athlete better.
Childhood and young years
Denis Pankratov was born on July 4, 1974 in the Russian city of Volgograd. Since childhood, Pankratov was an active child. At 5, his parents brought him to the swimming section. Little Denis was at first reluctant to take part in the sport, but after 2 years he got a serious sporting interest. This happened thanks to the world-famous coach Viktor Avdienko, who saw the potential in Pankratov and did not allow the swimmer to lose his talent.
The efforts of the coach were not in vain. Even at a young age, Denis managed to become the champion of the USSR. At the age of 18, Pankratov represented his country at the Olympic Games in Barcelona. From 19 to 23, he participated in all European championships, the world where he won gold and silver. At 21, he broke 2 world records. He also managed to take first places at 100 and 200 meters butterfly stroke at the Sydney Olympics. In 1996, Pankratov graduated from the Academy of Physical Culture in the city of Volgograd.
Personal life
Pankratov Denis is married to Olga Kirichenko. The wife also engaged in swimming and in her years won the bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics. For some time, the newlyweds lived separately in different cities. The couple has two children - Demyan and Sevastyan. Olga and Denis chose such unusual names of boys because they adhere to special criteria - rarity and consonance with an English-language speech. The athlete does not complain about married life. He says that they live well, together they plan to build an alternate aerodrome for the possibility, if the need arises, of going abroad (on vacation, shopping, visiting, etc.).
Awards and Achievements
Denis Pankratov - two-time Olympic champion, honored master of sports of international class (butterfly stroke). Repeated champion of Europe, the world, the Olympic Games. During his sports career he received the Order:
- Honor. This is an award to Pankratov for participating in the first World War Games in 1995 and achieving high sports results.
- "For Merit to the Fatherland" III degree. Denis was awarded on August 26, 1996 for achieving high sports results and services to the state.
Work as a journalist
After achieving the desired sporting results, Denis Pankratov went into the world of journalism, where he worked as a commentator on NTV and NTV plus channels. The former athlete himself explained his transition by the fact that, having reached one peak, a person should strive for another. But, already working as a commentator, Denis still spoke at some swimming competitions. For example, he managed to win the World Cup in 2002, combining new work and training. But Pankratov decided to move to another level - to finally and permanently leave the big sport and then try himself in the role of a journalist. The former athlete commented on swimming and skiing competitions. Regarding the second, the audience had complaints about the monotony of Pankratov’s speech. To this, he replied that it was impossible to discuss the ski race for 2 hours with a vivid commentary effect, since all the "raisins" were at the finish.
Interesting
In his youth, Denis Pankratov was very superstitious. His exit to the start was held in a special order. But when Denis’s sporting achievements exceeded expectations, he ceased to believe in superstitions and decided for himself that the reward was given only for good work.
In order to survive in big sports and achieve excellent results, Denis adhered to the rule - never lose heart and stay strong in any situation. The athlete, in his opinion, should remain cold-blooded and purposefully go towards his goal, regardless of competitors.
Denis Pankratov, a swimmer who believes that 6th place at the Barcelona Olympics was an incentive to achieve such outstanding results. Denis also claims that in those competitions he could take a higher place, since there were forces, but the psychological mood did not allow him to win, which the athlete does not regret.
The swimmer has never used dope, and this topic is not interesting to him. This is motivated by the fact that everything secret will always become apparent. And personal achievements, the results of efforts are always higher than pharmacology.
The proposal to become a commentator to Pankratov came from Anna Dmitrieva at Sheremetyevo Airport. The athlete was returning home after the European Championship and unexpectedly got a job that he had been looking for for a long time.
Denis commented on the Olympics in Sydney every day, in addition, when he participated in the swim. This was in 2000, when the athlete had deliberately left the big sport.
The swimmer considers his first "gold" to be the greatest achievement in life. Since the first place at the Olympics was achieved contrary to the coach. And also - marriage. The athlete's family comes first.
Pankratov never sought to go abroad and remained faithful to his homeland. Moving from Volgograd to Moscow was a forced life step for Denis. But he does not deny the possibility of a future move to another country.
Official appointment
The officialism of the athlete was discussed when he became a good journalist. He did not really want to move from one job to another, because he knew that there was a lot of paperwork in the civil service. On September 11, 2008, the swimmer was appointed director of the department of state policy and the development of sports of the highest achievements of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation. The number of Pankratov's subordinates was 30 people. After his new official employment, Denis quit his job on NTV-plus. Having reached the authorities, the swimmer realized that things with the financing of Russian sports are going worse than he imagined. Already being the head, Denis considered Pankratov not the only sport, and promised to help (improve his life) athletes and coaches of all sports.
Now Pankratov is trying to combine work in several positions. From this his working days are not at all routine. The former athlete is the director of a government agency. Denis Pankratov has not been engaged in public service since 2011. Nevertheless, Pankratov should not be engaged in commercial activities, but it is possible to have real estate abroad. Over the past year, the swimmer’s income amounted to 4.5 million rubles, which allows him not to limit his possibilities.