Author Topic: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69  (Read 7076 times)

Wiggs

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Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« on: November 26, 2011, 12:33:41 PM »
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/weightlifting-legend-vasily-alekseyev-dead-at-69-112511


Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev — who became a Soviet-era Cold War icon, as well as a household name in the US thanks to his frequent appearances on "Wide World of Sports" in the 1970s — has died at the age of 69.
 
Alekseyev, who won two Olympic and eight world super heavyweight titles in addition to setting 80 world records throughout his distinguished career, passed away in a German clinic Friday, Ria Novosti reported.
 
He had long suffered heart problems and was sent to the clinic after his health deteriorated.
 
The burly, big-bellied Alekseyev was born in Shakhty, southern Russia, in 1942. He set his first world record in January 1970 and captured the world title later that year, a crown he held for seven years.

He was the first man to total more than 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds) in the triple event, winning Olympic gold medals at the 1972 Games in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal.
 
His accomplishments were always prominent propaganda tools for Soviet officials during the Cold War, but his achievements were recognized universally.
 
In April 1975, Sports Illustrated put him on its cover under the headline "World's Strongest Man."
 
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko paid tribute to Alekseyev as a "great public activist and caring man," on top of his obvious athletic prowess.
 
He said Alekseyev could be immortalized in a statue or with a weightlifting tournament held in his honor.
7

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #1 on: November 26, 2011, 12:48:24 PM »
Very sad. Guy is a legend.

 :(

240 is Back

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #2 on: November 26, 2011, 12:48:41 PM »
i pray for his nation, his sport, and his family.

Dr Dutch

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #3 on: November 26, 2011, 12:49:00 PM »
Too bad this news doesn't create a big response on getbig. Guess the younger getbiggers don't know him..


RIP

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #4 on: November 26, 2011, 12:53:18 PM »
My first experience with the sport of weightlifting was seeing him in the Guinness Book of WR.

This makes me very sad.

Will lift in his honor tomorrow.


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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #5 on: November 26, 2011, 12:56:01 PM »
Too bad this news doesn't create a big response on getbig.

very true Dutch. We're much more concerned about who we'd hit and what new list Calvin wont make

tommywishbone

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #6 on: November 26, 2011, 12:57:51 PM »
Legendary weightlifter.

PIP     Press in Peace
a

Fortress

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #7 on: November 26, 2011, 12:58:17 PM »
Will lift in his honor tomorrow.

Good idea. So will I.

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2011, 01:01:47 PM »
There was another thread with some pics, but it might be on the second page now-

Here's some neat stuff-

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Visions of 8, the weightlifting portion of the 1972 games, one of the best SHW battles to be seen.

mass243

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2011, 01:03:48 PM »
We already had a thread about this tragedy earlier.

Anyways... Sad news.





Great support for Big Vasily!


The memory of the world's strongest man will live in our hearts along the memories of the world's strongest empire.

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #10 on: November 26, 2011, 01:05:44 PM »
PIP

tommywishbone

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #11 on: November 26, 2011, 01:08:19 PM »
This cat came along soon after Vasily. Not as famous but very popular for a while.  Excellent physique for a world champion weighlifter.  540 C&J. 430 Snatch.
  
a

mass243

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #12 on: November 26, 2011, 01:11:17 PM »











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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #13 on: November 26, 2011, 06:18:47 PM »
69 ain't bad for a guy that size and who was a serious strong mofo.

RIP

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #14 on: November 26, 2011, 06:26:02 PM »
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/weightlifting-legend-vasily-alekseyev-dead-at-69-112511


Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev — who became a Soviet-era Cold War icon, as well as a household name in the US thanks to his frequent appearances on "Wide World of Sports" in the 1970s — has died at the age of 69.
 
Alekseyev, who won two Olympic and eight world super heavyweight titles in addition to setting 80 world records throughout his distinguished career, passed away in a German clinic Friday, Ria Novosti reported.
 
He had long suffered heart problems and was sent to the clinic after his health deteriorated.
 
The burly, big-bellied Alekseyev was born in Shakhty, southern Russia, in 1942. He set his first world record in January 1970 and captured the world title later that year, a crown he held for seven years.

He was the first man to total more than 600 kilograms (1,323 pounds) in the triple event, winning Olympic gold medals at the 1972 Games in Munich and the 1976 Games in Montreal.
 
His accomplishments were always prominent propaganda tools for Soviet officials during the Cold War, but his achievements were recognized universally.
 
In April 1975, Sports Illustrated put him on its cover under the headline "World's Strongest Man."
 
Russian sports minister Vitaly Mutko paid tribute to Alekseyev as a "great public activist and caring man," on top of his obvious athletic prowess.
 
He said Alekseyev could be immortalized in a statue or with a weightlifting tournament held in his honor.


Read about this a few days ago. Sad indeed. I remember watching him in at the 72' Olympics when terrorists killed those Olympic athletes.

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #15 on: November 26, 2011, 07:46:31 PM »
Legendary weightlifter.

RIP Vasily.

Heywood

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Re: Legendary Russian weightlifter Vasily Alekseyev dies at 69
« Reply #16 on: November 26, 2011, 08:44:13 PM »
Vasily is still probably the best known olympic weightlifter ever in history.

He was a huge icon during the 1970's in the weight game.

RIP....