Vladimir Kuts

Vladimir Petrovich Kuts (in Russian: ВладимирПетровичКуц) (February 7th 1927 - August 16th 1975) was a long-distance runner Soviet. It is sometimes known under the name of Volodymyr Kuts , according to the Ukrainian since it was born with Aleksino which is now in Ukraine.

Kuts, which was an officer of the Red Army during its sporting career, appeared for the first time on the international scene with the Championnats of Europe of athletics of 1954, beating the favorites Emil Zátopek and Christopher Chataway on 5000 m and establishing new world records. The record was beaten by Chataway a few months later but Kuts reconquered it later ten days.

Having again lost its record in 1955, Kuts was nevertheless one of favorites of Olympic Games of summer of 1956 with Melbourne. Its main adversary was the British Gordon Pirie which had charmed to him its record earlier in the year. However Kuts had established a new world reference on 10.000 m little before the plays. On the first final, the 10.000 m, Kuts, like always, carried out upon the departure, finally breaking the hopes of Piries with four towers of the end and gained finally easily. The second final, the 5000 m (five days later), was a formality. Kuts gained its second Olympic title there.

Kuts improved the world records of the 5000 m in 1957 in 13 ' 35" 0, a time which was beaten only in 1965 by Ron Clarke. Kuts withdrew competition in 1959.

He died of a Myocardial infarction 48 years old.

Prize list

Olympic Games

Olympic Games 1956 with Melbourne (Australia)

Gold medal on 5000 m
Gold medal on 10.000 m

Championships of Europe

Championships of Europe of athletics 1954 with Bern (Swiss)

Gold medal on 5000 m

Random links: