Vitali Smirnov

Vitali Georgiyevich Smirnov (; born 14 February 1935) is a former athlete from the Soviet Union (Russian Far East) and longtime sports administrator.

He was active in swimming, water polo, tennis, and boxing, and he was a member of the USSR Masters' water polo team. Smirnov has published various articles on physical education, sport and Olympic issues. With 44-years of service in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Vitali Smirnov is the second-longest serving member in the organization's history.

Education Smirnov studied at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport, as well as at the University of Social Sciences in Moscow (Russian Federation).

Awards and honors

Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation (1 February 2025) – for special service to the development of national sport and Olympic movement Order "For Merit to the Fatherland"; 1st class (30 January 2020) – for outstanding service to the development of sport and Olympic movement 2nd class (19 April 2001) – for great contribution to the development of physical culture and sport, high achievements of Russian athletes in sports at the Games of the XXVII Olympiad in Sydney in 2000 3rd class (26 August 1996) – for services to the state and great personal contribution to the development of national sport 4th class (22 April 2010) – for great services to the development of national sport and public activities Order of Alexander Nevsky (2015) Order of Honour (22 April 1994) – for high athletic achievement at the XVII Olympic Winter Games in 1994 Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1985) Order of Friendship of Peoples (14 November 1980) – for the successful preparation of Soviet athletes and high athletic achievement at the Games of the XXII Olympiad in Moscow Three Orders of the Badge of Honour (1966, 1970 and 1976) Gratitude of the President of the Russian Federation (6 August 2007) – for active participation in efforts to ensure the victory of the application of Sochi to host the XXII Winter Olympic and XI Paralympic Winter Games in 2014 Dostlug Order (12 February 2015) Olympic Order (2015)