Grenoble, 12 February 1968, X Olympic Winter Games. Men's biathlon: Alekandr TIKHONOV of the Soviet Union competes in the 20km event. Tikhonov won the silver medal. Credit: IOC Olympic Museum CollectionsBorn: 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.
