Boris Popov

Boris Nikitich Popov (, born 21 March 1941) is a Russian water polo player who competed for the Soviet Union in the 1964 Summer Olympics.

Career In 1964 he was a member of the Soviet team which won the bronze medal in the Olympic water polo tournament. He played all six matches.

Popov is one of the most successful water polo coach in Olympic history. He led Soviet Union men's national team to win an Olympic gold medal in 1980 and a bronze medal in 1988. Four years later, he coached the Unified Team to win another bronze medal. In 4th FINA World Championships 1982 in Guayaquil, he won the gold medal in the respective water polo championship as coach of Soviet Union men's national team. He is one of a few sportspeople who won Olympic medals in water polo as players and head coaches.