Edvins OZOLIN

Edvin Ozolin took up athletics in 1955 and soon became the best Soviet sprinter of the 1960s. Ozolin competed at the 1960 and 1964 Olympics, winning a 4x100 silver in 1960 and placing fifth with the Soviet 4x100 relay team in 1964. Individually he reached the 100 quarters in 1960, and the quarter-finals of the 100 and 200 in 1964. Ozolin also competed at three European Championships, winning a 4x100 silver in 1966, and 4x100 bronze in 1958. Ozolin also won the 200 at the 1963 and 1965 Universiade and the 4x100 relay at the 1961 Universiade, while taking a 100 silver at the 1963 Universiade and 4x100 silver at the 1965 Universiade. Ozolin was a 16-time Soviet Champion – the 100 in 1959-63; the 200 in 1960-61 and 1963; sprint relay in 1957, 1961, 1965-66, and 1968; and the 200 hurdles in 1963 and 1967. Ozolin worked as an athletics coach after finishing his sports career. From 1984-92 he was head coach of the Soviet sprinting and hurdling team and from 1992-2003 was head coach of the Malaysian track & field athletics team. He also wrote several textbooks about sprinting.

Personal Bests: 100 – 10.2 (1962); 200 – 20.8 (1965).