1. Overview
Aleksandr Timofeyevich Aksinin (Александр Тимофеевич АксининAleksandr Timofeyevich AksininRussian) was a distinguished Soviet sprinter, an Olympic gold medalist who represented the Soviet Union in multiple international athletics competitions. His career, spanning from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, was highlighted by significant achievements in both individual sprint events and, most notably, the 4x100 meter relay, where he secured an Olympic gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Games. Aksinin's consistent performance also earned him multiple medals at European Championships and European Indoor Championships, cementing his status as a prominent figure in Soviet track and field during his era.
2. Early life and background
Aleksandr Timofeyevich Aksinin was born on 4 November 1954, in Leningrad, which was then part of the Russian SFSR in the Soviet Union and is now known as Saint Petersburg, Russia. From an early age, Aksinin showed considerable talent in athletics, particularly in sprinting. He trained with the renowned Dynamo sports society, which was a prominent sports organization in Leningrad and across the Soviet Union, providing a structured environment for the development of top athletes. His early training laid the foundation for his successful career as a professional sprinter on the international stage.
3. Athletic career
Aleksandr Aksinin's athletic career as a sprinter progressed steadily, marked by numerous appearances and successes at major international events, demonstrating his skill and consistency over several years.
3.1. Early international appearances (1974-1978)
Aksinin first appeared on a significant international stage at the 1974 European Championships held in Rome, Italy. Competing in the 4x100 meter relay, his team narrowly missed a medal, finishing in fourth place, just 0.04 s behind the bronze medalists from East Germany. The following year, at the 1975 European Indoor Championships in Katowice, Poland, Aksinin secured his first major international medal, a silver in the 60 meters sprint with a time of 6.67 s.
In 1976, Aksinin participated in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal, Canada. While he did not advance beyond the semifinals in the 100 meters individual event, he played a crucial role in the Soviet 4x100 meter relay team. Running alongside teammates Nikolai Kolesnikov, Juris Silovs, and Valeriy Borzov, Aksinin earned his first Olympic medal, a bronze, with the team finishing behind the United States and East Germany with a time of 38.78 s.
His successes continued into 1977, when he won a gold medal in the 4x100 meter relay at the 1977 Summer Universiade, further solidifying his position as a key member of the Soviet relay squad. In 1978, Aksinin competed at both the European Indoor Championships in Milan, Italy, where he earned a bronze medal in the 60 meters with a time of 6.73 s, and the European Championships in Prague, Czechoslovakia. At the latter event, he finished seventh in the 200 meters with a time of 20.87 s. He also won another bronze medal as part of the Soviet 4x100 meter relay team, which finished behind Poland and East Germany with a time of 38.82 s.
3.2. 1980 Moscow Olympics
The pinnacle of Aleksandr Aksinin's career came at the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games, which were notably affected by a boycott from several nations, including the United States. Aksinin competed in two events: the 100 meters individual sprint and the 4x100 meter relay. In the 100 meters final, he delivered a strong performance, finishing in fourth place with a time of 10.42 s, narrowly missing a bronze medal by just 0.03 s behind Petar Petrov of Bulgaria.
His most significant achievement at these Games was his gold medal victory in the men's 4x100 meter relay. Aksinin ran the third leg for the Soviet team, which also included Vladimir Muravyov, Nikolai Sidorov, and Andrey Prokofyev. The team demonstrated exceptional synergy and speed, securing the gold medal with a time of 38.26 s, outpacing the Polish team who took silver, and the team from France who earned bronze. This victory marked a significant triumph for Aksinin and Soviet athletics on home soil. Earlier in the same year, Aksinin also earned a bronze medal in the 60 meters at the European Indoor Championships in Sindelfingen, West Germany, with a time of 6.63 s.
3.3. Later career and retirement (1981-1982)
Following his Olympic success, Aleksandr Aksinin continued his competitive career for a few more years. His final major international appearance was at the 1982 European Championships held in Athens, Greece. There, he once again showcased his prowess in the 4x100 meter relay, winning a gold medal. After this successful outing, Aksinin concluded his competitive athletics career, retiring from the sport in 1982.
4. Major results and personal bests
Aleksandr Aksinin's career was marked by consistent high-level performances across various international competitions. The following sections detail his significant placings and his best recorded times in sprinting events.
4.1. Major international results
| Year | Competition | Location | Event | Result | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | European Championships | Rome, Italy | 4×100m relay | 4th | 39.03 s |
| 1975 | European Indoor Championships | Katowice, Poland | 60m | Silver | 6.67 s |
| 1976 | Olympic Games | Montreal, Canada | 4×100m relay | Bronze | 38.78 s |
| 1978 | European Indoor Championships | Milan, Italy | 60m | Bronze | 6.73 s |
| 1978 | European Championships | Prague, Czechoslovakia | 200m | 7th | 20.87 s |
| 1978 | European Championships | Prague, Czechoslovakia | 4×100m relay | Bronze | 38.82 s |
| 1980 | European Indoor Championships | Sindelfingen, West Germany | 60m | Bronze | 6.63 s |
| 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union | 100m | 4th | 10.42 s |
| 1980 | Olympic Games | Moscow, Soviet Union | 4×100m relay | Gold | 38.26 s |
| 1982 | European Championships | Athens, Greece | 4×100m relay | Gold | 38.60 s |
4.2. Personal bests
Aleksandr Aksinin recorded his personal best times in sprint events in 1980, the same year he achieved his Olympic gold.
- 100m: 10.26 s (1980)
- 200m: 20.80 s (1980)
5. Death
Aleksandr Aksinin passed away on 28 July 2020, at the age of 65.
6. Legacy
Aleksandr Aksinin left an indelible mark on Soviet and international athletics as an accomplished sprinter, particularly recognized for his contributions to relay events. As an Olympic gold medalist and a multiple European Championships medalist, he played a vital role in the success of the Soviet track and field team during his active years. His consistent performance and dedication to the sport served as an inspiration, contributing to the rich history of athletics within the Soviet Union. His achievements, especially the Olympic gold in the 4x100 meter relay, are remembered as significant moments in the country's sporting heritage.