Nikolai KIROV

Belarusian Nikolay Kirov was the leading Soviet male middle-distance runner in the early 1980s. Kirov won an 800 bronze at the 1980 Olympics and 800 silver at the 1982 European Championships, also winning a 1,500 silver at the 1981 European Cup. He set one world record during his career, with the Soviet 4x800 relay team that clocked 7:08.1 in 1978. Kirov won five Soviet titles – 800 in 1978; 1,500 in 1982-83; and 4x800 relay in 1979 and 1981. He later became an athletics coach.

Personal Best: 800 – 1:45.11 (1981).