Vladimir Romanovsky

Vladimir Romanovsky took up canoeing in 1969 and won his first major title at the 1975 European Junior Championships, in the K1-500. The next year, Romanovsky teamed up with Serhiy Nahorniy and at the 1976 Olympics, the young pair won a surprising K2-K gold and K2-500 silver. After winning a disappointing bronze medal in K2-K at the 1977 World Championships, the duo split up and Romanovsky later concentrated on longer distances. He was World K2-10K champion in 1981 and K4-10K champion in 1983. Domestically, Romanovsky won seven Soviet titles – in 1976-77 and 1979 in the K2-500, in 1977 in the K2-1000, in 1981 and 1983 in the K2-10K, and in 1982 in the K4-10K. After finishing his sporting career, Romanovsky worked as a kayak instructor, serving as head coach of the Belorussian national kayaking team from 1993-95.