Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Artur Dmitriev. Biography

Artur Valerievich Dmitriev is a Soviet and Russian figure skater who competed in pair skating. He went down in sports history as the first male figure skater to win Olympic gold medals with two different partners. About the athlete's life and sporting achievements — in the material of Izvestia.

Childhood and education

Dmitriev was born on January 21, 1968 in the town of Bila Tserkva, Kiev region, Ukrainian SSR. The future champion's sporting career began at a young age. To improve his skills and reach a professional level, he moved to Leningrad. Dmitriev trained there under the guidance of renowned specialists Tamara Moskvina and Fanis Shakirzyanov.

Sports career with Natalia Mishkutenok

The figure skater achieved his first major success on the international stage in a pair with figure skater Natalia Mishkutenok. The beginning of the 1990s was the period of the duo's dominance: in 1991 and 1992, the athletes twice became world and European champions. The peak of their joint career was the victory at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, where the couple won gold medals. After briefly retiring to professional shows, the figure skaters returned to amateur sports to participate in the 1994 Olympics in Lillehammer. Following the results of the competition, Dmitriev and Mishkutenok became silver medalists.

Performances with Oksana Kazakova

After finishing his career, Mishkutenok Dmitriev paired up with Oksana Kazakova. The new partnership proved successful: already in 1996, the duo won the European Championship. In 1998, Dmitriev and Kazakova won gold at the Olympic Games in Nagano, which allowed their partner to become a two-time Olympic champion with different duet participants.

Titles and awards

Artur Dmitriev was awarded high state awards for his outstanding sporting achievements and contribution to the development of Russian sports. On April 22, 1994, he was awarded the Order of Friendship of Peoples. On February 27, 1998, the figure skater became a knight of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, III degree. He also holds the title of Honored Master of Sports of the USSR.

Retirement and personal life

From 1992 to 2006, Artur Dmitriev was married to Tatiana Druchinina, a world and USSR champion in rhythmic gymnastics. A son, Arthur, was born in the family. Artur Dmitriev Jr. followed in his father's footsteps and became a figure skater competing in single skating. He took part in major national competitions, including the Russian Championship in 2010. After completing his active performances on the ice, Artur Dmitriev switched to coaching.

Dmitriev's death was announced on June 29 by the press service of the Russian Figure Skating Federation. He died at the age of 58.