Vladimir Struzhanov

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameVladimir Vasilyevich•Struzhanov
Used nameVladimir•Struzhanov
Original nameВладимир Васильевич•Стружанов
Born2 August 1932 in Sochi, Krasnodar Kray (RUS)
Died19 April 2014
AffiliationsTrudovye Rezervy Moskva, Moskva (RUS) / Dynamo Sochi, Sochi (RUS)
NOC Soviet Union
Nationality Russian Federation
Medals OG
Gold 0
Silver 0
Bronze 1
Total 1

Biography

Vladimir Struzhanov was one of the world’s best individual medleyists in the 1950s but, as individual medley was not on most major programs until the 1960s, Struzhanov won his only two major international medals in the 4x200 m freestyle relay, with a bronze at the 1956 Olympics and gold at the 1958 European Championships. He was also a five-time Soviet champion: in 1952 and 1953 in the 1500 freestyle, in 1955 in the medley relay, and in 1957-58 in the 4x200 freestyle relay and won he won six silver medals at the Soviet championships: in 1954 and 1957 in the 1,500, in 1955 and 1956 in the 200 butterfly, in 1958 in the 400 freestyle and in 1962 in the 400 IM. During his career Struzhanov also set three world records, setting two relay world records just a month before the 1956 Olympics as a member of Soviet 4x200 freestyle relay team that set a world record of 8:24.5 and a member of Soviet 4x100 medley relay team that set a world record of 4:14.8. In 1957 Struzhanov set a 400 IM world record of 5:12.9.

Personal Best: 200 m freestyle – 2:08.9 (1958); 400 m freestyle – 4:38.5 (1958); 1500 m freestyle – 18:41.0 (1957); 100 m butterfly – 1:03.6 (1956); 200 m butterfly – 2:27,4 (1955); 400 m medley – 5:12.9 (1957).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal Nationality As
1956 Summer Olympics Swimming (Aquatics) URS RUS Vladimir Struzhanov
4 × 200 metres Freestyle Relay, Men (Olympic) Soviet Union 3 Bronze

Special Notes