Andrey Perlov

Andrey Perlov was the world’s top race walker in the late 1980s and early 1990s, mainly concentrating on the 50 km race walk. The apex of his career was at the 1992 Olympics, where he won the 50 km gold medal. At the 1991 World Championships, Perlov and his teammate Aleksandr Potashov attempted to cross the finish line simultaneously in the 50 km, hoping to win a shared gold medal, but the officials declared Potashov the winner by 0.01 seconds, thus Perlov had to settle for a silver. He won the 50 km at the 1990 European Championships, and 1984 Friendship Games, adding 50 km silvers at the 1985 Universiade and 1985 and 1989 Race Walking World Cups. Perlov set two world records during his career – 3-37:41 in the 50 km in 1989, and 1-18:20 in the 20 km in 1990. Perlov won the Soviet 20 km title in 1990 and 50 km titles in 1984-85 and 1989.

Personal Best: 50kmW – 3-37:41 (1989).