Nikolay Kolomenkin

Biographical information

RolesCompeted in Olympic Games
SexMale
Full nameNikolay Aleksandrovich•Kolomenkin
Used nameNikolay•Kolomenkin
Original nameНиколай Александрович•Коломенкин
Other namesNikolay Panin, Николай Панин
Born1 January 1874 in Khrenovoye, Voronezh (RUS)
Died19 January 1956 in St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg (RUS)
NOC Russian Federation
Medals OG
Gold 1
Silver 0
Bronze 0
Total 1

Biography

As a youth Nikolay Kolomenkin did rowing, cycling, athletics and gymnastics and was introduced to figure skating after 1893, when he enrolled at St. Petersburg University (now St. Petersburg State University). Kolomenkin was fascinated by this new sport and soon became the top Russian figure skater at the turn of 20th century. But for fear of fellow student’s mocking him, Kolomenkin competed in figure skating under the pseudonym Nikolay Panin and used this name throughout his competitive figure skating career.

In 1908 Kolomenkin became the first Russian Olympic winner when he won the special figures event at the London Olympics. Kolomenkin also won silver at the 1903 World Championships in singles, another silver at the 1908 European Championships, and bronze at the 1904 European Championships. He also won the Russian singles title from 1901-05 and 1907. While studying at university, Kolomenkin was an all-around athlete, competing in cycling, rowing, athletics, swimming, skiing and played football and hockey.

After graduating university with a mathematics degree in 1898, Kolomenkin became a competent sports shooter, winning 23 Russian titles in pistol shooting (1906-17). He also competed at the 1912 Olympics as a shooter, finishing eighth in individual free pistol and fourth in team pistol. After winning his Olympic title, Kolomenkin retired from competitive figure skating and worked as a figure skating coach. From 1915-17 Kolomenkin was general secretary of the Russian Olympic Committee and from 1919-30 worked in various financial positions with the Petrograd (later Leningrad) province and oblast governments. From 1933 until his death, Kolomenkin worked as head of the figure skating department at the Lesgaft State Institute of Physical Culture (now Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health).

Results

Games Discipline (Sport) / Event NOC / Team Pos Medal As
1908 Summer Olympics Figure Skating (Skating) RUS Nikolay Panin
Singles, Men (Olympic) AC
Special Figures, Men (Olympic) 1 Gold
1912 Summer Olympics Shooting RUS Nikolay Kolomenkin
Free Pistol, 50 metres, Men (Olympic) 8
Free Pistol, 50 metres, Team, Men (Olympic) Russia 4

Special Notes

Errata

Most sources list 8 Feb 1872 as his DOB, but our DOB is based on a letter from Kolomenkin stating it was 1 January 1874 in the Julian System which equals 13 January in the Gregorian System.