Nikolay Zimyatov


Nikolay Semyonovich Zimyatov, is one of the most successful Soviet/Russian male cross-country skiers. He was the first man in the sport to win three gold medals at a single Winter Olympics, in the 30 km, 50 km and 4 × 10 km relay at the 1980 Lake Placid Games. In the 50 km race he finished two and half minutes ahead of the second place. He also won the 30 km event at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo and was awarded Order of Friendship of Peoples that year.
At the world championships Zimyatov won only one medal, a silver over 30 km in 1978. Nationally he collected four Soviet titles: in the 30 km and 4 × 10 km relay in 1978, and in the 15 and 30 km in 1979. After retiring from competitions he had a long career as a cross-country skiing coach and prepared the Russian team for the 2002 Olympics. In 1980 he married a fellow international skier Lyubov Sykova.

Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation.

Olympic Games

Season standings

Individual podiums

No.SeasonDateLocationRaceLevelPlaceTeammates
1 1983–84 16 February 1984 Sarajevo, Yugoslavia4 × 10 km RelayOlympic Games2ndBatyuk / Zavyalov / Nikitin

Note: Until the 1994 Olympics, Olympic races were included in the World Cup scoring system.