Vladimir Mikhailovich Melanin was a Soviet

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....

/Russia

Russia

Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...

n biathlete

Biathlon

Biathlon is a term used to describe any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting...

.

He was born in Balyik.

Melanin trained at the Armed Forces sports society

Armed Forces (sports society)

Central Sports Klub of the Army or is the Russian sports society and the successor of the Soviet CSKA.-Overview:The society was one of the largest sports societies in the USSR. In the Soviet era all CSKA and SKA teams that resided in the Soviet Union belonged to the Armed Forces sports society...

 in Kirov

Kirov, Kirov Oblast

Kirov , formerly known as Vyatka and Khlynov, is a city in northeastern European Russia, on the Vyatka River, and the administrative center of Kirov Oblast. Population: -History:...

. He won an Olympic gold medal for 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 the 20 km individual in the 1964 Olympics in Innsbruck

Biathlon at the 1964 Winter Olympics

-20 km:In 1964 as in 1960, there was a two-minute penalty for every missed target in the Individual Event. Since 1968, this penalty has been one minute per missed target.-References:*...

 ahead of his fellow Soviet Aleksandr Privalov

Aleksandr Privalov

Aleksandr Vasiliyevich Privalov is a former Soviet biathlete and Olympic medalist.He was born in Moscow.He received a bronze medal at the 1960 Winter Olympics in Squaw Valley. He received a silver medal at the 1964 Winter Olympics in Innsbruck.-References:...

 and the Norwegian Olav Jordet

Olav Jordet

Olav Jordet is a former Norwegian biathlete.He was born in Tolga.He became Norway's first individual biathlon world champion in 1965, has world championship relay gold medals in 1966 and 1967...

. Melanin also won three World titles in the 20 km, in 1959, 1962 and 1963.

He was awarded the Order of the Red Banner of Labour

Order of the Red Banner of Labour

The Order of the Red Banner of Labour was an order of the Soviet Union for accomplishments in labour and civil service. It is the labour counterpart of the military Order of the Red Banner. A few institutions and factories, being the pride of Soviet Union, also received the order.-History:The Red...

 (1965) and the Order of the Badge of Honor

Order of the Badge of Honor

The Order of the Badge of Honour was a civilian award of the Soviet Union.It was instituted on 25 November 1935 and conferred on citizens of the USSR for outstanding achievements in production, scientific research and social, cultural and other forms of social activity, for promotion of economic,...

(1960).