Vladimir Alikin is a Merited Master of Sports of Russia. Olympic champion. 8-time USSR champion. Merited Coach of Russia. His journey began in the Novoilinsky settlement of the Perm region. It ended at the top of world biathlon. Between these points is a life that became an example for generations.
Vladimir Alexandrovich Alikin
Biography
From cross-country skiing to biathlon - one shot
Everything started in 1969. 12-year-old Vladimir joined the cross-country skiing section at the Novoilyinsky branch of the Nytva Sports School. First coach - Vladimir Mikhailovich Miroshin. This collaboration lasted 15 years. In 1977, Alikin switched to biathlon. And almost immediately - victory at the "Ijevskaya Vintovka" competitions. There he was noticed by the USSR national team coach Alexander Privalov.
Olympics that became a legend - 1980. Lake Placid. USA
Vladimir Alikin starts the 10 km sprint with a temperature of 37.5. Doctors discouraged him. Coaches doubted. He went out - and took silver. In the 4×7.5 km relay, Alikin ran the first leg. He won 11 seconds ahead of all rivals. The USSR team became the Olympic champion. These two medals went down in the history of Soviet biathlon. But for Alikin, it was not the end - but a stage.
Champion who didn't stop
After the Olympics, Alikin continued to dominate:
- 4-time bronze medalist at World Championships (1979, 1981, 1982 — relay; 1982 — sprint)
- 8-time USSR champion
- Multiple stage winner of the World Cup
In 1981, he graduated from Perm State Pedagogical Institute. Education became the foundation for a second career — coaching.
From athlete to mentor
1990 - start of coaching career in the CSKA cross-country skiing team. Among his trainees:
- Vladimir Drachev
- Pavel Rostovtsev
- Sergey Rozhkov
- Vadim Sashurin
1997 - coach of the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug team. Worked with Nikolai Kruglov. 2006–2010 - head coach of the Russian men's national team. Under his leadership, the team showed high results at the Vancouver Olympics.
Recognition
On October 21, 2010, Vladimir Alikin was awarded the Order of Merit for the Fatherland II degree medal — for successful preparation of athletes for the XXI Olympic Winter Games in Vancouver. Also awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples.
📍 Achievements
- Olympic champion 1980 (Lake Placid) — 4×7.5 km relay
- Silver medalist at the 1980 Olympics — 10 km sprint (with a temperature of 37.5)
- 4-time bronze medalist at World Championships (1979, 1981, 1982)
- 8-time USSR champion
- Winner of "Ijevskaya Vintovka" (1977)
Coaching career:
- Head coach of the Russian men's national team (2006–2010)
- Biathlon coach of the KhMAO team (since 1997)
- CSKA cross-country skiing team coach (1990–1997)
Titles:
- Merited Master of Sports of Russia
- Merited Coach of Russia
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