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Rafael Grach

Full name: Rafael Davidovich Grach
Original name: Рафаэль Давидович Грач
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 161 lbs (73 kg)
Born: August 6, 1932 in Murygino, Kirov, Russia
Died: July 28, 1982
Affiliations: SA Sverdlovsk/Spartak Moskva oblast
Country: URS Soviet Union
Sport: Speed Skating

Medals: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze (2 Total)

Biography

Rafael Grach was a true sprinter, who very rarely skated other distances than 500 m, which is why he never competed in the World Championships. Throughout his career, Grach was in the shadow of another great Soviet sprinter Yevgeny Grishin, and he won his only Soviet title in 1960 when Grishin did not compete. His other podium finishes at the Soviet Championships were second in 1956-57 and third in 1958-59 and 1962, all at 500 metres.

Personal Bests: 500 – 39.9 (1964); 1500 – 2:12.8 (1957); 5000 – 8:32.0 (1964); 10000 – 17:26.5 (1964).

Results

Games Age City Sport Event Team NOC Rank Medal
1956 Winter 23 Cortina d'Ampezzo Speed Skating Men's 500 metres Soviet Union URS 2 Silver
1960 Winter 27 Squaw Valley Speed Skating Men's 500 metres Soviet Union URS 3 Bronze
1964 Winter 31 Innsbruck Speed Skating Men's 500 metres Soviet Union URS 10T

Men's 500 metres

Event History
Games Age City Sport Country Phase Unit Rank T
1956 Winter 23 Cortina d'Ampezzo Speed Skating Soviet Union Final Standings 2 40.8
1960 Winter 27 Squaw Valley Speed Skating Soviet Union Final Standings 3 40.4
1964 Winter 31 Innsbruck Speed Skating Soviet Union Final Standings 10T 41.4