Alexander Ivanovich Tikhonov is a retired Russian biathlete, the president of the Union of biathlonists of Russia (Federation of biathlon of Russia), the vice-president of Federation of equestrian sport, the President of horse-racing club “Tikhonov’s Club”.
Alexander Ivanovich was born on January, 2nd, 1947 in Ujsky Collective-farm area of the Chelyabinsk area. Hegraduated Novosibirsk technical school of physical training in 1968 and Novosibirsk State university in 1995.
Sports career of A. I. Tikhonov has begun in a sports society “Manpower reserves” but its big part is connected with “Dynamo” which colours he protected in Novosibirsk and Moscow.
First steps in sport Alexander Ivanovich has made in Novosibirsk.
He was engaged in the running fads, a bicycle and skis. He showed uncommon talent. The trainer with whom Alexander Ivanovich Tikhonov started his way from the beginner-biathlonist to the Deserved master of sports is Evgenie Dmitrievich Glinsky. Evgenie Dmitrievich is the person who was for Tikhonov not only trainer but friend. He died in a road accident. Olympic debut of Tikhonov was in 1968. Here in Grenoble (France) 20-year-old sportsman won in brilliant style a silver medal in individual race on 20 km, having conceded in shooting to Norwegian Magne Solbergu of any half-millimetre — the price of two penal minutes and a gold medal. After this race to Alexander Ivanovichu trust the first stage in relay race which the Olympic champion Vladimir Melanin should run. Tikhonov’s impudent run, confident shooting give decided advantage of a national team of the USSR which keep and fix Nikolay Puzanov, Vladimir Gundartsev, Victor Mamatov. There is a first title of the Olympic champion! But the main starts — Olympic, drama struggle for medals of the higher test which all world watched. The episode which had become history of modern Olympic movement is connected with Tikhonov. In Sapporo (Japan, 1972) Tikhonov confidently went the stage (again to it trust the first), far having bypassed contenders and suddenly the ski was scattered into smithereens. Neither trainers, nor skiers nearly had not appeared to replace a ski. Almost the kilometre Alexander Ivanovich moved practically on one ski. Then German sportsman Diter Shpeer had given to Alexander Ivanovich a suitable ski. Having rushed to a pursuit Tikhonov had managed to return to in the lead group and though has passed on baton by the ninth, his courage had urged forward partners in a national team. Rinat Safin, Ivan Bjakov, Victor Mamatov deduced a national team of the USSR on the first place, winning a title of Olympic champions. He is one of the most successful biathletes of all time, with nine world championship gold medals and four Olympic gold medals.
He lacks an individual Olympic gold medal in his cupboard, but took part in the gold medal relay winning teams in 1968, 1972, 1976, and 1980.
Alexander Ivanovich received the fourth gold Olympic medal in Lejk Plesid, (USА1974). After these Olympic Games Alexander has accepted painful for him as well as any other great sportsman decision to leave a line.
The new not less appreciable stage began with the beginning of 90th in life of Alexandr Ivanovich Tikhonov . Having received many favourable offers for work abroad, A. I. Tihonov put before itself aim to create the business in Russia. With group of the former sportsmen in Novosibirsk he had organised the Soviet-Austrian enterprise specialising on adventure tourism.
In 1994 Alexander Ivanovich for the first time tested himself as the equestrian. He acted in competition. In 1996 has created equestrian sport club “Tikhonov’s Club”. The club has spent a World Cup stage on dressage, the open championship of Russia on competition and dressage, draw of an open Cup of club in honour of the 850 anniversary of Moscow and other tournaments.
Since 1999 Alexander Ivanovich Tikhonov became known as the successful businessman who has created agriculture of a full cycle connected Moscow Region with a number of regions of Russia (has created a network of the business concerns which are engaged in a batch of bread in industrial quantities, cultivation grain, meat manufacture). He has 8 copyright certificates, including on working out and perfection of sports small arms in the co-authorship with Izhora smallarms factory. Alexander Ivanovich is awarded by Lenin’s awards, the Re ofd Banner and the Red Star; medals “For labour valour”, “For labour difference”.
Hunting is passion Alexandr Ivanovich.
He is proud of his hunting trophies not less than sports. Tikhonov is married and has two sons and one daughter.
