Rodion GATAULLIN

Born in Uzbekistan to an ethnic Tatar family, Rodion Gataullin took up athletics at age 10. Selected for the Soviet national team in 1984, he was considered the second best pole vaulter in the world behind Sergey Bubka in the late 1980s and early 90s. Gataullin was the second person to break the 6-metre barrier outdoors (September 1989) and the first person to clear that height indoors (January 1989). During his career, which lasted until 2002, Gataullin won 1988 Olympic silver and a 1987 World Championship bronze. He added European titles in 1990 and 1994, World Indoor titles in 1989 and 1993, and European indoor titles in 1988 and 1990. He also won gold and silver at the 1985 and 1987 Universiade, gold and silver at the 1990 and 1986 Goodwill Games, and golds at the 1989 and 1993 European Cup. After finishing his sports career, Gataullin worked as an athletics coach, serving as coach of the Russian national pole vaulting team.

Personal Best: PV – 6.02i (1989).