Born: 2 January 1947

Birthplace: Uisk (Russia)

Nationality: Russia

Sport: Biathlon

ATTENDANCE AT THE OLYMPIC GAMES

Grenoble 1968

Sapporo 1972

Innsbruck 1976

Lake Placid 1980

AWARDS

Olympic medals:

Gold: 4

Silver: 1

Other results:

World Championships

Gold: 11 (69, 70, 71, 73, 74, 76, 77)

Silver: 4 (67, 71, 75, 79)

Bronze: 2 (77, 79)

The Only Winter Athlete to Win the Same Event Four Times

Aleksandr Tikhonov holds a special place in the Olympics record book because he is the only person in the history of the Winter Games to win the same event four times. Tikhonov's specialty was the 4x7.5km biathlon relay. In 1968 and 1972 he was the leadoff skier for the team from the USSR.

In 1976 he anchored the Soviet squad and in 1980 he skied the second leg. Each time, the USSR won decisive victories. Tikhonov also earned an individual medal in the 1968 20km race. His time was the fastest by more than a minute, but he missed two targets and ended up in second place.