International Gymnast Magazine reported this morning that former Soviet champion Nikolai Andrianov has been suffering from multiple system atrophy (MSA), a disease likely to eventually take his life.
MSA is a neurological disorder that affects motor skills and muscle coordination and progresses until it kills the patient. Andrianov, 58, seems to be in the later stages; IG reports that he is bedridden in his hometown of Vladimir, Russia and his family is searching for someone or something that could help him receive better care.
MSA is a particularly cruel blow for a gymnast as talented as Andrianov. He was the face of Soviet men's gymnastics during the 1970s, winning a stunning 15 Olympic medals over three Olympiads, a record that stood as the most Olympic medals won by a man before swimmer Michael Phelps surpassed him in 2008. He was among the first to demonstrate the power and finesse Soviet men's gymnastics would come to be known for.
At the 1976 Olympic Games that made Nadia Comaneci a household name and defined the course of the sport, Andrianov quietly won the men's all-around title. The Soviet men won silver in 1976. Andrianov, who won floor, rings and vault in addition to his all-around title, would lead them to gold in 1980 and pick up a second Olympic vault title there as well, as well as silvers on vault and floor and a bronze on high bar. I believe that Andrianov is the only gymnast ever to have won Olympic medals on every event in addition to team and all-around competitions.
He set the standard as an athlete, but also as a coach, molding the younger men on the Soviet junior men's team during the 1980s and coaching in Japan at the behest of his former rival, Mitsuo Tsukahara, during the 1990s, where his most famous protegee was Tsukahara's son, 2004 Olympic team gold medalist Naoya, who has indicated that he would like to come out of retirement and compete for Australia.
Those wishing to send goodwill messages to Andrianov can do so through his son Sergei. Sergei Andrianov can be contacted at sa2525@hotmail.ru.
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Comments
We need all support him emotionaly and financially!
I was on the Australian national team in the 70s, so USSR, and Nikolai in particular, were the heroes we idolised and followed. Interestingly, Nick was not the most obvious talent from a physiological perspective.... tight shoulders, poor hip flexibility, but extremely innovative, never faulted under pressure, and absolutely reliable in the highest level of competition. I was lucky enough to meet Nick a couple of times in later years and to be made aware of the contribution he continued to make to mens gymnastics.
A great ambassador for our sport, and very sadly missed..
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