Former IBU Vice-President Viktor Mamatov has passed away. Mamatov is a two-time Olympic Champion: at the Olympic Winter Games Grenoble 1968 he won a gold medal with the Soviet relay team, a feat he repeated at the Olympic Winter Games Sapporo 1972.

He became World Champion in individual 20 km in 1967 and three times with the Soviet relay in 1969, 1970, and 1971. Mamatov served as the Vice-President of the IBU, Vice-President of the Russian Biathlon Union and Russian Olympic Committee and as a coach for the Soviet national team.

IBU President Olle Dahlin said:

“The IBU is very saddened to learn that former IBU Vice-President Viktor Mamatov has passed away. Viktor was hugely passionate about biathlon and made a highly significant contribution to the sport over his decorated career as an athlete, as a coach and as Vice-President for the IBU, the Russian Biathlon Union and the Russian Olympic Committee. A two-time Olympic Champion and four-time World champion, he went on to become a successful coach for the Soviet national team and later was an important contributor to the foundation and successful development of the IBU. Viktor was universally respected and liked in the biathlon family. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.”