Serghei Covaliov

Serghei Covaliov was a specialist in the canoe doubles event. He partnered the renowned Ivan Patzaichin to his first Olympic gold medal when they won the canoe doubles over 1,000 metres at the Mexico City Olympics. In addition to his Olympic medals, Covaliov won two gold medals and four medals at the World Championships, most in the canoe doubles over 1,000 metres. His golds came in 1966 (C2 1000 m with the non-Olympian Vicol Calabiciov) and 1970 (C2 1000 m with Patzaichin), while he won silver in 1971 (C2 1000 m with Patzaichin), and in 1971 added a bronze in the 10,000 metres canoe doubles (with Calabiciov), his only major international medal at a distance other than 1,000 metres. He died of a severe concussion he suffered while out canoeing near his house in Letea.