Two-time Olympic champion in biathlon Anatoly Alyabyev has died from the effects of coronavirus, the head of the St. Petersburg Biathlon Federation, two-time Olympic champion Dmitry Vasiliev said in an interview with Match TV.

“Anatoly Nikolaevich had problems with his lungs for a long time. In principle, he recovered and lived normally in recent years. He even recently began to forget about this problem. And now it has hit a weak spot, it turns out. Previously, he had very serious lung problems: he was undergoing treatment in Germany, which in the past two years has allowed him to forget about the problem. The cause of death is still a covid, ”Vasiliev said.

Guberniev called the news of the death of Olympic champion Alyabyev a shock. Biathlon Four-time Olympic champion in biathlon Alexander Tikhonov also confirmed in an interview with Championship.com that Alyabyev had contracted coronavirus shortly before his death.

"Tragedy. A very close friend of mine. We talked three days ago. Tolya said he had a coronavirus. He said: “Ivanovich, don't worry. On the 29th, I will definitely be with you at your jubilee. " This is the guard! Lost a great man, a worthy one. Alyabyev was a man of officer's honor. He was humble. I haven't had such a state for a long time. Great grief, "Tikhonov said.

Alyabyev's death was announced earlier on Tuesday by the press service of the Russian Biathlon Union (RBU). The reasons for the death of the athlete were not named.

Alyabyev won gold at the 1980 Lake Placid Games in the individual 20 km race and relay, as well as a bronze medalist in the sprint.

In addition, he has two bronze medals in the 1981 and 1982 world championships in relay races.

bbabo.Net