Viktor Mamatov

Viktor Mamatov made his first international appearance at the 1967 World Championships, where he won the 20 km race and was second as a member of the Soviet relay team. At the 1968 Olympics Games Mamatov was seventh in the 20 km race and won gold in relay. He was also the Soviet flag bearer at the opening ceremony at those Winter Olympics. At the next World Championships in 1969, Mamatov was again a member of the gold medal winning Soviet relay team and he also won gold in the relay at the 1970 World Championships. In addition to his 1970 gold, he also won a bronze in the 20 km at the 1970 World Championships. Mamatov made his last appearance at the World Championships in 1971, where he was sixth in 20 km and won his third consecutive gold medal in the relay. Mamatov made his last international appearance at the 1972 Olympics, where again he was seventh at 20 km and won his second Olympic gold in relay. Domestically Mamatov won only two Soviet titles, both in 1968, in the 20 km and relay. After finishing his sporting career, Mamatov worked as head coach of the Soviet Union national biathlon team from 1973-76. From 1976-81 he was a director of his alma mater, Novosibirsk Technical School of Physical Culture (now Novosibirsk College of Physical Culture) and then from 1981-85, was again head coach of the Soviet national biathlon team. From 1985-87 Mamatov worked as an official with Soviet Committee for Physical Culture and Sports and from 1989-92 he was the last president of the Soviet Union Biathlon Federation. From 1993-98 Mamatov worked as vice-president of the Russian Biathlon Federation and he was a member of the Russian Olympic Committee from 1994-2002. He was also the manager of the Russian 1998 and 2002 Olympic biathlon teams.