Sergei Zabolotnov
Encyclopedia
Sergei Zabolotnov (also Sergey), born 11 August 1963, is a former backstroke
swimmer from the USSR
. In 1983, he set a European record in the 200 metre backstroke. The time of 2:00.42 was achieved on 4 July 1983 at Edmonton, Canada, when winning a gold medal whilst competing in the World University Games. He set his second European record on 15 February 1984, recording 2:00.39 at the Soviet Winter Nationals.
After missing the 1984 Summer Olympic Games
in Los Angeles of late July and early August due to the eastern bloc boycott, Zabolotnov competed at the Friendship Games
in Moscow, USSR, winning the gold medal for the 200 metre backstroke in a world record
time of 1:58.41 on 21 August. This time eclipsed the previous world record of 1:58.86 set by Rick Carey
, USA on 27 June 1984 at the USA Olympic Swimming Trials. Rick Carey won the gold medal for the 200 metre backstroke
in Los Angeles in a time of 2:00.23, three weeks before Zabolotnov's world record swim. Carey recorded 1:58.99 in the preliminaries in Los Angeles for an Olympic record.
Zabolotnov competed at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games
in Seoul, South Korea, in both the 100 & 200 metre backstroke, finishing fourth in each. His time in the 100 metre backstroke
was 55.37. His time in the 200 metre backstroke was 2:00.52. He competed in the preliminaries of the 4×100 metre medley relay
only, but earned a bronze medal when the Soviet team finished behind the United States and Canadian teams in the final.
Backstroke
The backstroke, also sometimes called the back crawl, is one of the four swimming styles regulated by FINA, and the only regulated style swum on the back. This has the advantage of easy breathing, but the disadvantage of swimmers not being able to see where they are going. It is also the only...
swimmer from the USSR
Soviet Union
The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991....
. In 1983, he set a European record in the 200 metre backstroke. The time of 2:00.42 was achieved on 4 July 1983 at Edmonton, Canada, when winning a gold medal whilst competing in the World University Games. He set his second European record on 15 February 1984, recording 2:00.39 at the Soviet Winter Nationals.
After missing the 1984 Summer Olympic Games
Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics
Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics, held at the McDonald's Olympic Swim Stadium, located on the USC campus. There was a total of 494 participants from 67 countries competing.-Medal table:-Men's events:-Women's events:-References:...
in Los Angeles of late July and early August due to the eastern bloc boycott, Zabolotnov competed at the Friendship Games
Friendship Games
The Friendship Games or Friendship-84 was an international multi-sport event held between 2 July and 16 September 1984 in the Soviet Union and eight other socialist states which boycotted the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles....
in Moscow, USSR, winning the gold medal for the 200 metre backstroke in a world record
World record progression 200 metres backstroke
This is a history of the 200 m backstroke world record as swum in both long course pools and short course pools – the two categories recognized/tracked by FINA.-Long course:-Short course:-Long course:...
time of 1:58.41 on 21 August. This time eclipsed the previous world record of 1:58.86 set by Rick Carey
Rick Carey
Richard John Carey is a former American swimmer who specialized in the backstroke. At the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, he won three gold medals. He broke nine world records, five individually, and also was a double world champion...
, USA on 27 June 1984 at the USA Olympic Swimming Trials. Rick Carey won the gold medal for the 200 metre backstroke
Swimming at the 1984 Summer Olympics - Men's 200 metre backstroke
The final of the Men's 200 metres Backstroke event at the 1984 Summer Olympics was held in the McDonald's Olympic Swim Stadium in Los Angeles, California, on July 31, 1984. The first eight qualified for the final, the next for the B-final.-Finals:...
in Los Angeles in a time of 2:00.23, three weeks before Zabolotnov's world record swim. Carey recorded 1:58.99 in the preliminaries in Los Angeles for an Olympic record.
Zabolotnov competed at the 1988 Summer Olympic Games
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics took place in Seoul, South Korea. The swimming competition, held from September 18 to September 25, was notable for the seven medals, including five golds, won by Matt Biondi, the six golds won by Kristin Otto, and the three individual golds won by Janet Evans...
in Seoul, South Korea, in both the 100 & 200 metre backstroke, finishing fourth in each. His time in the 100 metre backstroke
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics - Men's 100 metre backstroke
The men's 100 backstroke at the 1988 Summer Olympics was held on September 24, 1998, with both preliminaries and finals on the same day.-Records:The existing World and Olympic records at the time of the competition were:-A Final:-B Final:...
was 55.37. His time in the 200 metre backstroke was 2:00.52. He competed in the preliminaries of the 4×100 metre medley relay
Swimming at the 1988 Summer Olympics - Men's 4 x 100 metre medley relay
The men's 400 Medley Relay at the 1998 Summer Olympics was held on 25 September 1998, with both preliminaries and finals on the same day.-Records:The existing World and Olympic records at the time of the competition were:-A Final:-Preliminary heats:...
only, but earned a bronze medal when the Soviet team finished behind the United States and Canadian teams in the final.