Vladimir Markelov, All-Around star and Horizontal Bar innovator, passed away

A member of a strong Soviet generation that included Olympic All-Around champions Nikolai Andrianov and Alexander Dityatin, Vladimir MARKELOV was a key member of Soviet teams that dominated Gymnastics during the late 1970's and early 1980's.
Born 24 October 1957 in Ozersk, a city in southwestern Russia, Markelov’s All-Around strength made him a key member of Soviet teams. In company with Andrianov, Dityatin, Eduard Azaryan, Bogdan Makuts, and Alexander Tkatchev, Markelov earned team gold at the Moscow Olympic Games in 1980, four years after he helped the USSR earn silver in 1976 in Montreal.
In addition to Tkatchev and Makuts, Markelov is best remembered for his signature move, a swing backward with a half turn over the Horizontal Bar that shows straddle during the flight.
Markelov retired from competition following the 1980 Games, but remained dedicated to the sport, making his mark as a judge in his later years.
Vladimir MARKELOV passed away on 30 October, just a week after his 66^th birthday.