Oleg Vasiliev
Oleg Kimovich Vasiliev (
Russian: Олег Кимович 'асильев; born
November 22,
1959) is an
Olympic and world pairs
figure skating champion.
Vasiliev was born in
Leningrad,
Russia, to parents Ludmila Konstantinovna Vasilieva and Kim Mihailovich Vasiliev. He was a sickly child, and his doctor recommended he get exercise and fresh air. Thus he began skating at age five, and his health improved greatly.
As a single skater, Vasiliev won a Junior Nationals title. Later he became interested in
pair skating. Coach
Tamara Moskvina paired him with
Elena Valova. Vasiliev was 18 years old, Valova just 15.
Valova and Vasiliev enjoyed success throughout their career, winning gold at the 1984 Olympics and silver in 1988, as well as the 1983, 1985 and 1988
world championship titles. They competed in the amateur ranks from 1979 to 1988, and as professionals until 1995.
Valova and Vasiliev were married from 1984-1992. He later married a woman named Valentina and had a daughter, Katia (Or Katenka in the familiar form), but they have since divorced.
He currently coaches the team of
Tatiana Totmianina and
Maxim Marinin, 2006 Olympic and two-time world champions (2004, 2005).
Vasiliev moved to America in December 1997 and currently lives in
Chicago,
Illinois.
Valova and Vasiliev were the first Soviet skaters to turn professional.
Their single coach throughout their amateur and professional careers was
Tamara Moskvina.
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valova-vasiliev.com Official(?) website
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goldenskate.com Interview with Vasiliev
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figureskatingmystery.com Interview translated from russian
