The head of the media service of the Russian Biathlon Union, Konstantin Boytsov, announced the death of two-time Olympic champion in biathlon Anatoly Alyabyev. He was 70 years old.
"It's not the coronavirus, he caught a cold. He had problems with his lungs before, and he liked to be treated for such diseases himself," Konstantin Boitsov told RIA Novosti.
Anatoly Alyabyev won two gold medals at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics in the 4x7.5 kilometer relay and 20 kilometer individual race. During the same events the Soviet athlete won the bronze medal in the sprint.
Anatoly Alyabyev also became bronze medalist of World Championships twice. In 1981 and 1982 he won awards in relays.