View source for Vladimir Smirnov (skier)

{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}}
{{Other people|Vladimir Smirnov}}
{{Infobox skier <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Ski -->
| name              = Vladimir Smirnov
| image             = Vladimir Smirnov (skier) 2007 Kazakhstani stamp.jpg
| image_size        = 260px
| caption           = 
| fullname          = Vladimir Mikhaylovich Smirnov
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1964|3|7|df=y}} 
| birth_place       = [[Shuchinsk]], [[Kazakh SSR]], [[Soviet Union]]
| death_date        = <!-- {{death date and age|df=yes|deathyear|mm|dd|birthyear|mm|dd}} -->
| death_place       = 
| height            = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| club              = Stockviks SF
| skis              = [[Skis Rossignol|Rossignol]]
| personalbest      = 
| seasons           = 1982–1998
| wins              = 30
| additionalpodiums = 36
| totalpodiums      = 66
| wctitles          = 2 (1990–91, 1993–94)
| medaltemplates    = 
{{Medal|Country|the {{URS}}}}
{{Medal|Country|{{KAZ}}}}
{{Medal|Sport|Men's [[cross-country skiing]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[Cross-country skiing at the Winter Olympics|Olympic Games]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1994 Winter Olympics|1994 Lillehammer]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1994 Winter Olympics|50 km]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1988 Winter Olympics|1988 Calgary]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1988 Winter Olympics|30 km]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1988 Winter Olympics|1988 Calgary]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1988 Winter Olympics|4×10 km relay]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1994 Winter Olympics|1994 Lillehammer]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1994 Winter Olympics|10 km]]}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1994 Winter Olympics|1994 Lillehammer]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1994 Winter Olympics|Combined pursuit]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[1988 Winter Olympics|1988 Calgary]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1988 Winter Olympics|15 km]]}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[1998 Winter Olympics|1998 Nagano]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1998 Winter Olympics|Combined pursuit]]}}
{{Medal|Competition|[[FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|World Championships]]}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1989 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1989 Lahti]]|30 km}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1995 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1995 Thunder Bay]]|10 km}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1995 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1995 Thunder Bay]]|Combined pursuit}}
{{Medal|Gold|[[1995 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1995 Thunder Bay]]|30 km}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1987 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1987 Oberstdorf]]|4×10 km relay}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1991 Val di Fiemme]]|30 km}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1993 Falun]]|Combined pursuit}}
{{Medal|Silver|[[1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1993 Falun]]|10 km}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[1991 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1991 Val di Fiemme]]|15 km}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[1993 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1993 Falun]]|30 km}}
{{Medal|Bronze|[[1995 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships|1995 Thunder Bay]]|50 km}}
{{MedalCompetition|[[Asian Winter Games]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1999 Asian Winter Games|1999 Gangwon]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1999 Asian Winter Games|15 km]]}}
{{MedalGold | [[1999 Asian Winter Games|1999 Gangwon]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1999 Asian Winter Games|4×10 km relay]]}}
{{MedalSilver | [[1999 Asian Winter Games|1999 Gangwon]]|[[Cross-country skiing at the 1999 Asian Winter Games|30 km]]}}
| show-medals       = no
| updated           = 
}}

'''Vladimir Mikhaylovich Smirnov''' ({{lang-ru|Влади́мир Миха́йлович Смирно́в}}; born 7 March 1964) is a [[Kazakhstan]]i former [[cross-country skiing|cross-country skier]] who raced from the 1982 until 1991 for the [[Soviet Union|USSR]] and, later, for [[Kazakhstan]]. He is the first Olympic champion from independent [[Kazakhstan]]. He is also a vice president of the [[International Biathlon Union]]. Smirnov is a former member of [[International Olympic Committee]].<ref name=sr>[http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/sm/vladimir-smirnov-2.html Vladimir Smirnov]. sports-reference.com</ref>

==Early life==
Smirnov was born in [[Shchuchinsk]], [[Kazakh SSR]]. During the Soviet period, he trained at the [[Armed Forces (sports society)|Armed Forces sports society]] in [[Alma-Ata]].

==Career==
[[File:Stamp of Kazakhstan 042.jpg|thumb|Smirnov in 1994]]
Smirnov made his debut in the [[FIS Cross-Country World Cup]] on 18 December 1982 at [[Davos]] in a 15&nbsp;km race, finishing in a 17th place. His first victory came in 1986, a classic style 15&nbsp;km in Kavgolovo (URS). Smirnov gained a total of 30 victories in the World Cup, with 21 second and 15 third places. In 1994, he won the aggregate World Cup, thanks to seven victories in the course of the season.

At the [[FIS Nordic World Ski Championships]] from 1987 to 1997, Smirnov totalled four gold (1989: 30&nbsp;km, 1995: 10&nbsp;km, 10&nbsp;km + 15&nbsp;km combined pursuit, 30&nbsp;km), four silver (1987: 4x10&nbsp;km, 1991: 30&nbsp;km, 1993: 10&nbsp;km, 10&nbsp;km + 15&nbsp;km combined pursuit) and three bronze medals (1991: 15&nbsp;km, 1993: 30&nbsp;km, 1995: 50&nbsp;km). His best result was in [[Thunder Bay]], [[Ontario]] (1995), when he won three events.

In 1994, he received the [[Holmenkollen Medal]] (shared with [[Lyubov Yegorova (cross-country skier)|Lyubov Yegorova]] and [[Espen Bredesen]]). Smirnov also won twice at the [[Holmenkollen ski festival]] with a 15&nbsp;km win in 1994 and a 50&nbsp;km win in 1995.

A very regular and effective cross-country skier, especially in long-distance classic style races, Smirnov took part to the Winter Olympics from 1988 to 1998. His best known victory was the 50&nbsp;km gold medal at the [[1994 Winter Olympics]] in Lillehammer, the first Olympic gold medal for Kazakhstan. He was one of the leading characters of that Olympics, as his unending rivalry with home ever-winning [[Bjørn Dæhlie]] had gained him the affection of the Norwegian audience. He also became good friends with his rival Dæhlie, even participating with Dæhlie in several popular Norwegian TV shows.

In 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics, Smirnov was flag-bearer of [[Kazakhstan]] Olympic team and won the bronze medal in the 25&nbsp;km pursuit event.<ref name=sr/>

Smirnov headed the bid committee to have [[Almaty]], [[Kazakhstan]], host the [[2014 Winter Olympics]], a bid that failed to make the short list that was announced by the [[International Olympic Committee]] on 22 June 2006.<ref name=sr/> In 2011, Smirnov participated at the opening ceremony of [[2011 Asian Winter Games]] in [[Astana]].

==Personal life==
In the 1990s Smirnov lived in the [[Sweden|Swedish]] city of [[Sundsvall]], where he was a co-founder and co-owner of a local brewery. He is married to Valentina Smirnova, and they have two daughters – Anna and Karolina. Smirnov speaks four languages: Russian, German, English and Swedish.<ref>[http://skisport.ru/line/8320/ Владимир Смирнов: «И после спорта судьба продолжает мне улыбаться»]. skisport.ru (interview in Russian) 25 October 2008</ref>

==Career highlights==
{{div col}}
;Olympic Games
:1988 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Calgary]] [[File:Silver medal.svg|15px]] 2nd, 30 km C
:1988 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Calgary]] [[File:Bronze medal.svg|15px]] 3rd, 15 km C
:1988 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Calgary]] [[File:Silver medal.svg|15px]] 2nd, 4x10 km relay
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] [[File:Silver medal.svg|15px]] 2nd, 10 km C
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] [[File:Silver medal.svg|15px]] 2nd, 25 km M pursuit
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] [[File:Gold medal.svg|15px]] 1st, 50 km C
:1998 – {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Nagano]] [[File:Bronze medal.svg|15px]] 3rd, 25 km M pursuit

;World Ski Championships
:1987 – {{flagicon|GER}} [[Oberstdorf]] {{sica}} 2nd, 4x10 km relay
:1989 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1991 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1991 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km F
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{goca}} 2nd, 25 km M pursuit
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st, 10 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st, 25 km M pursuit
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{brca}} 3rd, 50 km F

;Asian Winter Games
:1999 – {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gangwon Province (South Korea)|Gangwon]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1999 – {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gangwon Province (South Korea)|Gangwon]] {{goca}} 1st, 4×10 km relay
:1999 – {{flagicon|KOR}} [[Gangwon Province (South Korea)|Gangwon]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km F

;World Cup overall
:1985/86 – {{brca}} 3rd
:1990/91 – {{goca}} 1st
:1991/92 – {{brca}} 3rd
:1992/93 – {{sica}} 2nd
:1993/94 – {{goca}} 1st
:1994/95 – {{sica}} 2nd
:1995/96 – {{sica}} 2nd
:1997/98 – {{brca}} 3rd

;World Cup podiums
:1984 – {{flagicon|URS}} [[Murmansk]] {{sica}} 2nd, 15 km C
:1985 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Labrador City]] {{sica}} 2nd, 15 km C
:1986 – {{flagicon|FRA}} [[La Bresse]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1986 – {{flagicon|URS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1986 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Cogne]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km F
:1986 – {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Davos]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1988 – {{flagicon|URS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1988 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Calgary]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1988 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Calgary]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km C
:1989 – {{flagicon|URS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{sica}} 2nd, 15 km C
:1989 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1990 – {{flagicon|GER}} [[Reit im Winkl]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km F
:1990 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Örnsköldsvik]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km C
:1990 – {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Tauplitz]] {{brca}} 3rd, 25 km M pursuit
:1990 – {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Davos]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1990 – {{flagicon|FRA}} [[Les Saisies]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1991 – {{flagicon|URS}} [[Minsk]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1991 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1991 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km F
:1991 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km F
:1991 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Silver Star Provincial Park|Silver Star]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1992 – {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km C
:1992 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Funäsdalen]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km F
:1992 – {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Ramsau am Dachstein|Ramsau]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km F
:1992 – {{flagicon|AUT}} [[Ramsau am Dachstein|Ramsau]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km C
:1992 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km F
:1993 – {{flagicon|SLO}} [[Bohinj]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{goca}} 2nd, 25 km M pursuit
:1993 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km F
:1993 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Santa Caterina di Valfurva|Santa Caterina]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Toblach]] {{goca}} 1st, 10 km C
:1993 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Toblach]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1994 – {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Oslo]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] {{sica}} 2nd, 25 km M pursuit
:1994 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Lillehammer]] {{goca}} 1st, 50 km C
:1994 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1994 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Kiruna]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1994 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Sappada]] {{brca}} 3rd, 10 km F
:1995 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km F
:1995 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{brca}} 3rd, 30 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Oslo]] {{goca}} 1st, 50 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st, 10 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{goca}} 1st 25 km M pursuit
:1995 – {{flagicon|CAN}} [[Thunder Bay]] {{brca}} 3rd, 50 km F
:1995 – {{flagicon|JPN}} [[Sapporo]] {{sica}} 2nd, 15 km F
:1995 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Vuokatti]] {{goca}} 1st, 10 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|SUI}} [[Davos]] {{sica}} 2nd, 30 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Brusson, Aosta Valley|Brusson]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km F
:1995 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Santa Caterina di Valfurva|Santa Caterina]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1995 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Santa Caterina di Valfurva|Santa Caterina]] {{brca}} 3rd, 15 km F
:1996 – {{flagicon|SVK}} [[Strbske Pleso]] {{goca}} 1st, 50 km F
:1996 – {{flagicon|CZE}} [[Nové Město na Moravě|Nove Mesto]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1996 – {{flagicon|RUS}} [[Kavgolovo]] {{sica}} 2nd, 15 km C
:1996 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Trondheim]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km F
:1996 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{goca}} 1st, 10 km F
:1996 – {{flagicon|SWE}} [[Falun]] {{goca}} 1st, 15 km C
:1997 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C
:1997 – {{flagicon|NOR}} [[Beitostoelen]] {{sica}} 2nd, 10 km C
:1997 – {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Val di Fiemme]] {{brca}} 3rd, 10 km C
:1998 – {{flagicon|FIN}} [[Lahti]] {{goca}} 1st, 30 km C

{{div col end}}
*Сonfirmed by [http://www.fis-ski.com/uk/604/613.html?sector=CC&competitorid=57203&type=result Official FIS Results]

==See also==
*[[Cross country skiing at the 1988 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Cross country skiing at the 1994 Winter Olympics]]
*[[Cross country skiing at the 1998 Winter Olympics]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{cite book
  | last = Henry
  | first = Notaker
  | author-link =
  | year = 1994
  | title = Lillehammer 1994: A Fairy-Tale of Images
  | place = Oslo
  | publisher = Dreyers Forlag
  | isbn = 82-504-2145-0
  }}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{FIS cross-country skier|57203|Vladimir Smirnov}}
* [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/events/1998/nagano/athletes/308.htm Vladimir Smirnov] at the [http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/olympics/events/1998/nagano/athletes/308.htm 1998 Nagano Olympics]

{{Footer Olympic Champions 50km Cross Country}}
{{Footer World Champions XC 10km Men}}
{{Footer World Champions XC Combined/Double Pursuit Men}}
{{Footer World Champions XC 30km Men}}
{{Holmenkollen medal}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Smirnov, Vladimir}}
[[Category:1964 births]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiers at the 1988 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiers at the 1992 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiers at the 1994 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiers at the 1998 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Holmenkollen medalists]]
[[Category:Holmenkollen Ski Festival winners]]
[[Category:Soviet male cross-country skiers]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani male cross-country skiers]]
[[Category:Kazakhstani people of Russian descent]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Olympic cross-country skiers of the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Olympic cross-country skiers of the Unified Team]]
[[Category:Olympic cross-country skiers of Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Olympic gold medalists for Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Olympic silver medalists for the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Olympic bronze medalists for the Soviet Union]]
[[Category:Olympic medalists in cross-country skiing]]
[[Category:FIS Nordic World Ski Championships medalists in cross-country skiing]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1998 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:People from Akmola Region]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1994 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1988 Winter Olympics]]
[[Category:Stockviks SF skiers]]
[[Category:Asian Games medalists in cross-country skiing]]
[[Category:Cross-country skiers at the 1999 Asian Winter Games]]
[[Category:International Olympic Committee members]]
[[Category:Asian Games gold medalists for Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Asian Games silver medalists for Kazakhstan]]
[[Category:Medalists at the 1999 Asian Winter Games]]