Viktor KUZNETSOV

Viktor Kuznetsov was the best Soviet backstroke swimmer in the early 1980s. Kuznetsov took up swimming in 1969 and was selected to the Soviet national team in 1977. During his career, Kuznetsov won two Olympic silvers (100 metre backstroke and the medley relay in 1980), a World Championships bronze (1978 100 backstroke), and a European Championship gold (1981 medley relay) and bronze (1981 100 backstroke). Kuznetsov also competed at the 1977 European Championships, but did not medal. Domestically, Kuznetsov won six Soviet titles – in 1978 and 1982 in the 100 m backstroke, in 1978 in the 200 back and in 1977-79 in the medley relay. After finishing his sporting career, Kuznetsov worked as swimming coach in his native St. Petersburg. From 1997-98 he was head coach of the Russian national junior team and since 2003 he has been the president of the swimming club, Ekran St. Petersburg.

Personal Bests: 100 m backstroke – 56.74 (1981); 200 m backstroke – 2:02.70 (1980).