Vladimir Smirnov

Early life Smirnov was born to Russian parents in Shchuchinsk, Kazakh SSR. During the Soviet period, he trained at the Armed Forces sports society in Alma-Ata.

Career

Smirnov made his debut in the FIS Cross-Country World Cup on 18 December 1982 at Davos in a 15 km race, finishing in a 17th place. His first victory came in 1986, a classic style 15 km in Kavgolovo (URS). Smirnov gained a total of 30 victories in the World Cup, with 21 second and 15 third places. In 1994, he won the aggregate World Cup, thanks to seven victories in the course of the season.

At the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships from 1987 to 1997, Smirnov totalled four gold (1989: 30 km, 1995: 10 km, 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit, 30 km), four silver (1987: 4x10 km, 1991: 30 km, 1993: 10 km, 10 km + 15 km combined pursuit) and three bronze medals (1991: 15 km, 1993: 30 km, 1995: 50 km). His best result was in Thunder Bay, Ontario (1995), when he won three events.

In 1994, he received the Holmenkollen Medal (shared with Lyubov Yegorova and Espen Bredesen). Smirnov also won twice at the Holmenkollen ski festival with a 15 km win in 1994 and a 50 km win in 1995.

A regular and effective cross-country skier, especially in long-distance classic style races, Smirnov took part to the Winter Olympics from 1988 to 1998. His best known victory was the 50 km gold medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, the first Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan. He was one of the leading characters of that Olympics, as his unending rivalry with home ever-winning Bjørn Dæhlie had gained him the affection of the Norwegian audience. He also became good friends with his rival Dæhlie, even participating with Dæhlie in several popular Norwegian TV shows.

In the 1998 Winter Olympics, Smirnov was the flag-bearer of the Kazakhstani Olympic team and won the bronze medal in the 15 km pursuit event. Smirnov speaks four languages: Russian, German, English and Swedish.

Cross-country skiing results All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

Olympic Games 7 medals – (1 gold, 4 silver, 2 bronze) Year Age 10 km 15 km Pursuit 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1988 23 Bronze Silver — Silver 1992 27 13 8 9 35 5 1994 29 Silver Silver 10 Gold — 1998 33 4 Bronze 12 8 —

World Championships 11 medals – (4 gold, 4 silver, 3 bronze) Year Age 10 km 15 km classical 15 km freestyle Pursuit 30 km 50 km 4 × 10 km relay 1985 20 16 24 — 6 1987 22 5 DNF — Silver 1989 24 10 — Gold 21 5 1991 26 22 Bronze Silver 31 5 1993 28 Silver Silver Bronze 21— 1995 30 Gold Gold Gold Bronze — 1997 32 4 8 42 19 —

World Cup Season titles 2 titles – (2 overall)

Season standings Season Age OverallLong DistanceSprint 1983 19 59 1984 20 31 1985 21 30 1986 22 1987 23 5 1988 24 5 1989 25 5 1990 26 7 1991 27 1992 28 1993 29 1994 30 1995 31 1996 32 1997 33 9 37 1998 34 4

Individual podiums 30 victories 66 podiums

Team podiums

2 victories 8 podiums

Note: Until the 1999 World Championships and the 1994 Winter Olympics, World Championship and Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system.